auteursrechtenhouder

In the context of Dutch copyright law, an *auteursrechtenhouder* (literally "author's rights holder") refers to the individual or entity that holds the exclusive rights to a work protected by *auteursrecht* (copyright). These rights are granted automatically upon the creation of an original work, such as literary, artistic, musical, or audiovisual creations, without the need for formal registration.

The *auteursrechtenhouder* is typically the creator of the work, such as an author, composer, filmmaker, or artist. However, in certain cases, the rights may be transferred or assigned to another party, such as a publisher, record label, or production company, through a contractual agreement. The rights holder is responsible for managing and enforcing the copyright, including granting or denying permission for others to use, reproduce, or distribute the work.

Under Dutch law, the *auteursrechtenhouder* enjoys several key rights, including:

- The right to reproduce the work in any form.

- The right to distribute copies of the work to the public.

- The right to perform, display, or communicate the work publicly.

- The right to adapt or modify the work.

- Moral rights, such as the right to claim authorship and to object to derogatory treatment of the work.

Copyright protection in the Netherlands generally lasts for the lifetime of the creator plus 70 years after their death. After this period, the work enters the public domain, and the rights holder’s exclusive control over the work ceases. The *auteursrechtenhouder* may also assign or license portions of their rights to third parties, allowing limited use of the work under specific conditions.

In cases of joint works, multiple creators may collectively hold the rights, requiring agreement among all parties for significant use or transfer of the work. The role of the *auteursrechtenhouder* is crucial in protecting intellectual property and ensuring creators are compensated for their work.