rettighedshaverens

In Danish copyright law, *rettighedshaver* (plural: *rettighedshavere*) refers to the legal entity or entities that hold the exclusive rights to a work protected by copyright. The term encompasses creators and other parties who possess rights such as reproduction, distribution, adaptation, or public performance rights under the Danish Copyright Act (*Lov om ophavsret*).

Typically, the *rettighedshaver* is the original creator of a work, such as an author, composer, artist, or filmmaker. However, rights can also be transferred or assigned to other parties, such as publishers, record labels, or production companies, through contracts or legal agreements. In cases where a work is created by multiple contributors, each may hold partial rights depending on their individual contributions and contractual arrangements.

The rights of a *rettighedshaver* are governed by both national legislation and international treaties, such as the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. These rights are automatically granted upon creation of the work, though registration is not always legally required in Denmark. The *rettighedshaver* has the authority to enforce these rights, including pursuing legal action against unauthorized use or infringement.

In practice, *rettighedshaver* often collaborates with collecting societies (*samlingsorganisationer*), such as the Danish Copyright Society (*Dansk Ophavsret*), to manage licensing and royalties on behalf of multiple rights holders. These organizations facilitate the distribution of compensation to creators when their works are used commercially, ensuring fair remuneration for their intellectual property.

The term *rettighedshaver* is distinct from *bruger*, who refers to individuals or entities using copyrighted material under the terms granted by the rights holder. Clear delineation between the two is essential in ensuring compliance with copyright law and avoiding legal disputes.