Stichting Thuiskopie pot royalty as a buffer in case of a possible lawsuit

The Stichting Thuiskopie has two quarters, no royalties paid out to rights holders. The foundation is in a legal battle with blank cd and dvd manufacturer Imation, and keep the money for a possible lawsuit.

The Stichting Thuiskopie has fee on blank cds and dvds and makes these charges normally each quarter to verdeelorganisaties, such as Norma, Buma and NPO. The organizations make sure then that the money ends up with the rights holders, such as musicians. The past two quarters, the foundation has, however, this is not done because the buffer wants to create a possible lawsuit to cover the costs against the company Imation blank cds and dvds. The Stichting Thuiskopie would to now about four million euros to store it up, reports Computerworld.

In 2010, the European Court held that the thuiskopieheffing does not apply for professional use by companies and since then refuses Imation have compensation to contribute. The Stichting Thuiskopie responded to take legal action, but Imation did the same and demands that the foundation retroactively all the money to pay back that Imation wrongly would have worn.

According to Hester Wijminga, manager of the foundation, is the claim of Imation unjustified. In determining the scheme would be the trade association for manufacturers of blank media, the choice have been between two options; a charge of 14 cents for everyone, or exemption for professional use and a tax of 28 cents for individuals. Eventually, it was the first option to agree, thus Wijminga. Still think the foundation that there is a fair chance that the money paid will have to be provided to Imation, and therefore, the taxes are now withheld.

Verdeelorganisaties NPO and Norma to Webwereld know are not happy with the way things are. Norma calls it ‘absolutely unjustified’ and NPO find it strange that the parties who are entitled to the money, now do not get. Buma/Stemra is pointing with accusing finger at the politics because these are the thuiskopiestelsel frozen. Also Stichting Thuiskopie gets this, and says that the income since the freezing so far declined, that it currently doesn’t choice but the apply.