Privatkopieringsersättning

Privatkopieringsersättning, often translated as private copying levy or private copying remuneration, is a form of compensation intended to allow individuals to make personal copies of copyrighted works without infringing on the rights of the copyright holders. This system is implemented in many countries and operates on the principle that if a copyright holder's work is likely to be copied for private use, they should receive a form of remuneration for this usage.

The levy is typically collected through a tax or fee imposed on devices and media that can be used to store copies of copyrighted material. This includes items such as blank CDs, DVDs, USB drives, hard drives, smartphones, and computers. The funds generated from these levies are then distributed to copyright holders, such as authors, musicians, filmmakers, and publishers, through collective management organizations.

The rationale behind privatkopieringsersättning is to strike a balance between the rights of copyright holders and the reasonable private use of technology by consumers. It acknowledges that private copying is a widespread practice and aims to compensate creators for the potential loss of revenue due to such copying, while also avoiding the need for complex individual licensing for personal use. The specific rates and regulations vary significantly from country to country.