teostajas

Teostajas is Finnish for the holder or holders of the rights to a creative work. In copyright law, teostaja refers to the person or legal entity that owns the exclusive rights to a teos (a work). This can include the creator—such as an author, composer, or lyricist—and, through contract or assignment, publishers or other entities that have acquired the rights.

The teostaja may license or transfer rights to others and is entitled to royalties for the use of the work. Rights typically cover reproduction, distribution, public performance, and the creation of derivative works, among other uses. Moral rights, including attribution and the right to object to changes that could harm the work’s integrity, usually remain with the teostaja even when economic rights are licensed or assigned.

In practice in Finland, many teostajat are members of collecting societies that license public performances, broadcasts, and online uses of their works. Teosto is the principal organization for music authors and publishers, collecting royalties from venues, broadcasters, and streaming services, and distributing payments to teostajat according to usage and contractual agreements. Similar organizations operate for other media, and international cooperation allows cross-border licensing and payments through reciprocal agreements.

The concept of teostajas applies across media, including music, literature, film, and visual arts. It underpins licensing, royalty distribution, and the management of use, ensuring that those who create or own a work receive compensation for its public use.