Libraries and museums may, in the future, orphan works, whose rights holders cannot trace, easier to digitize and publish online. That is stated in a legislative proposal of minister Teeven. Now they often have decades to wait before they work may publish.
The bill of state secretary Teeven of Security and Justice and minister Bussemaker of EDUCATION, culture and science set a European directive, the Netherlands has until 29 October 2014 to the directive in legislation to convert. The proposal must solve the problem that many institutions such as libraries and museums have with texts, audio clips and videos whose rights holders cannot be found. The organisations may use the orphan works do not digitise and publish online.
According to the Dutch law will expire, the copyright until 70 years after the death of the maker, making the dozens may take years for orphan works online may appear. “The problem of not being able to obtain permission for legitimate use by heritage organisations is more urgent by developments in the ict field”, write the minister and the secretary of state. “Heritage organisations are already for a long time preparing their collections to be digitised and, for example, via the internet to make available to the public.” If no consent is committing them, therefore, copyright infringement.
The new exception in the copyright act sets a number of conditions to the settings. So they should thoroughly research the rightful owner and the necessary sources are consulted. Money that they deserve, with the publication on internet they were only allowed to spend on digitisation of orphan works.