Reproduction rights
Do you use published information (in print or online) in your company? For instance, hard or electronic copies of copyrighted works such as pictures or texts from:
- magazines, specialist or trade journals
- newspapers
- websites
- books
You must pay a fee for reproduction rights.
When do you pay a fee for reproduction rights?
You have to pay a fee when the publications you use are protected by copyright. You also need permission from the authors. You can arrange this by paying a fee to the Dutch Reprographic Reproduction Rights Foundation (Stichting Reprorecht). They subsequently pay the authors of these publications. This fee covers all the materials you share and/or reproduce by:
- printing
- scanning
- emailing
- saving
- publishing on intranet
How much do you pay?
The annual fee is based on the number of people you employ, the industry your company is active in and the amount of material you share. An investigation will be carried out by the independent body Kantar. You will receive an invoice automatically. Small companies, with up to 20 full-time employees, will receive an invoice bi-annually. If no one in your organisation makes photocopies, scans or digital copies, you will not have to pay a fee. For more information please contact the Foundation (in Dutch).
Self-employed professionals or freelancers
The Dutch Reprographic Reproduction Rights Foundation has agreed with the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW) and the Dutch Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MKB-Nederland) that self-employed professionals or freelancers will not be sent an invoice automatically. Do you as a freelancer/self-employed professional use copyrighted materials? Then you can agree on an arrangement with the Reprographic Reproduction Rights Foundation (in Dutch). Did you receive an invoice, but did you not use copyrighted materials? Please contact the Foundation (in Dutch).
Complaints about fees
If you object to the fixed fee and want to file a complaint, please contact the Foundation (in Dutch). You should also contact the Foundation to pass on any relevant changes with regard to your registration. If your business ends, you no longer have to pay the fee. You can get a refund of the annual fee for the part of the year where the company was no longer active.