Lähioikeus

Lähioikeus, often translated as "neighboring right" or "related right," is a concept in intellectual property law that protects certain performances and broadcasts not covered by traditional copyright. It grants rights to individuals or entities whose contributions are essential to making a work accessible to the public, even if they do not own the original copyright.

The scope of lähioikeus varies by jurisdiction but typically includes the rights of performers over their performances, producers of phonograms over their recordings, and broadcasting organizations over their broadcasts. For example, a musician performing a song might have lähioikeus in their specific rendition, distinct from the copyright held by the songwriter. Similarly, a record label investing in the production and distribution of a song also benefits from these rights.

These rights often include the ability to authorize or prohibit the fixation of their performance, the reproduction of that fixation, and the communication to the public of their performance. For producers of phonograms, this can mean controlling the reproduction and distribution of their sound recordings. Broadcasting organizations are often granted rights over their broadcasts, allowing them to prevent unauthorized rebroadcasting or fixation.

Lähioikeus aims to incentivize investment and creativity in areas that complement copyright. It ensures that those who contribute to the dissemination and realization of creative works are adequately protected and can benefit from their involvement. The duration of these rights is generally shorter than that of copyright, reflecting their nature as related or neighboring protections.