Regulation of reprography and storage media remuneration in Austria: fair remuneration for Austrian artists

2023-04-22 05:01:27

Vienna (OTS) – A model that works perfectly in every respect

The currently valid regulations on the remuneration for reprography and storage media (URA) were demanded in a remarkable coalition of all Austrian artists, publishers, producers and other rights holders of derived rights for more than ten years and with many concessions the payer further developed until 2015. There are valid general agreements on the compensation with the WKO, which affect neither the trade nor the consumers. The income from these areas is an essential basis for the existence of Austrian authors and publishers and adequate compensation for their services. The equipment industry now wants to reverse all of this.

In return for a small levy, which by law can only make up a small proportion of the price of the device and which is added to the price of the device, consumers can copy texts, images, music and films in all possible ways in a legally secure manner while protecting their privacy.

Numerous studies show that millions of pieces of content are still copied every year. This is also evidenced by the continued high sales figures for devices and storage media.

No alternative, legitimate remuneration system in sight

„Not only did the Supreme Court agree with us, the rights holders, the European Court of Justice has also confirmed several times and in different contexts that only an accurate system like the one currently in place in Austria meets the requirements of European law“ emphasizes Eva Spreitzhofer, screenwriter and director. “The European Commission is also currently not considering an alternative remuneration system.” Similar systems exist throughout Europe.

The appliance industry in Spain had also campaigned for budget funding. After a relevant decision by the ECJ, it had to be changed back into a device-related system.

„The current regulation of storage media remuneration not only came at the right time, it has also turned out to be the best possible solution, which at the same time has largely accommodated those who pay it“, the author Marlene Streeruwitz sums up her experiences with the current clearing practice.

No subsidies, but appropriate compensation for services

The demand raised for paying the copyright fees via a budget solution is not new. This was repeatedly requested in the course of the many-year-long process, at the end of which the current regulations on payment for reproduction for one’s own and private use turned out to be the most suitable solution. “It’s a silly idea to force us out of the market and into the publicly funded space. It’s not about subsidies, it’s about paying us for the shares we are entitled to from the marketing of our services“, says Gerhard Ruiss from the IG authors.

No relief for the device industry at the expense of taxpayers

Trade and the device industry want to get rid of the remuneration for the devices with which they make huge profits. The costs are to be passed on to the budget and thus to all Austrians by around 160 companies that are obliged to pay – including multinationals worth billions. “It’s not a fair solution and the appliance industry doesn’t give a damn about whether it’s acceptable.”, holds Dr. Alexander Potyka, President of the Austrian Publishers Association.

Rewards are crucial for Austrian art and culture

The copyright royalties are distributed to the beneficiaries of the collecting societies according to fixed rules. Due to legal obligations, 50% of the income goes to institutions serving social and cultural purposes. These are used to provide cultural support such as the promotion of young talent, cultural events, scholarships, but also old-age provision, health and pension insurance, nursing allowances and help in all other social emergencies. “Journalism in Austria is already under enormous pressure. The recent discussion about the private copying levy, which we only concluded a few years ago, is unbearable.” says Dr. Daniela Kraus, Managing Director of the Concordia Press Club, “The Literar-Mechana not only ensures that the statutory remuneration is collected efficiently and sparingly, but also that the royalties reach the journalists.” In the course of the pandemic, Literar-Mechana alone provided around three million euros in support services to its beneficiaries. “If we hadn’t had the SKE funds from remuneration during the Corona years“, adds Gerhard Ruiss from the IG authors, “most of us would not have made ends meet.“

Literary Mechana, Dr. Sandra Csillag, Managing Director
IG authors, Prof. Gerhard Ruiss, Managing Director
Austrian Publishers Association, Dr. Alexander Potyka, President
Main Association of the Austrian Book Trade, Benedikt Föger, President
Press Club Concordia, Dr. Daniela Kraus, managing director