Copyright levies in copyright law

Abstract

The paper deals with copyright levies in copyright law. Copyright levies are intended to compensate subjects entitled to works protected under copyright law for any loss arising from reproduction of such works for private use. It is claimed that the assumptions that underlined the imposition of copyright levies in Germany in the sixties of the last century are now largely outdated, while the very model of copyright levies contains many faults which cannot be repaired within the existing system. Judgments delivered by the CJEU with regards to the provisions of Directive 2001/29/EC on compensating losses caused by reproduction of work protected under copyright law for private use have been analysed to establish the requirements specified in EU law regarding compensation for losses arising from private use (of reproduced protected works), including models alternative to those currently binding in the EU. Concluding, the author postulates replacement of copyright levies with a common fee.