CDlevy

CDlevy (also written CD levy or blank media levy) is a form of fee applied to the sale or import of blank recording media and related storage devices intended to compensate copyright holders for private copying. It emerged in the late 20th century alongside mass-market audio and optical media, when lawmaker and industry debates addressed how to balance consumers' private copying practices with creators' rights.

The levy is typically collected by manufacturers, importers, or retailers and remitted to collective management organizations or other designated agencies, which distribute proceeds to rights holders according to established rules. Rates vary by jurisdiction and by type of medium, and may be set by statute, regulation, or negotiated agreement.

Supporters argue that the levy provides fair remuneration to creators for noncommercial private copying that would otherwise be uncompensated. Critics contend that it is a blunt instrument that can overcharge consumers, distort markets for storage devices used for noncopyrighted data, and become less relevant as streaming and cloud services supplant physical media.

Implementation and legal treatment differ widely across countries. In some legal systems, the levy is part of a broader private copying exception; in others it has been modified or phased out in response to technological change and judicial review. The growth of digital distribution and device multifunctionality has prompted ongoing policy debates about the levy’s scope, proportionality, and continued necessity.

As media consumption shifts toward streaming and subscription models, many policymakers and stakeholders continue to reassess the role of CDlevy-style mechanisms in modern copyright remuneration systems.