Reproduction rights
If you have a business in the Netherlands that uses and shares published information (hard or electronic copies of copyrighted works), you must pay a fixed annual fee to the Dutch Reprographic Reproduction Rights Foundation (Stichting Reprorecht). They subsequently pay the authors of these publications. This fee covers all the online and offline materials you share and/or reproduce. Examples of copyrighted works include:
- Magazines, specialist or trade journals
- Newspapers
- Websites
- Books
Annual fee
The annual fee is based on the number of people you employ and the industrial sector your company belongs to. An investigation will be carried out by the independent body Kantar and based on the number of employees and the amount of material shared or reproduced, your fee will be decided. 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 (Dutch).
Complaints about fees
If you object to the fixed fee and want to file a complaint, or you would like to pass on any relevant changes with regard to your registration, please contact the Foundation (Dutch). 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 You can get a refund of the annual fee for the part of the year where the company was no longer active.
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 a notice. If you, as a freelancer/self-employed professional, were sent an invoice but do not make any copies, please contact the Reprographic Reproduction Rights Foundation (Dutch).