PLR in Lithuania

lithuania

A new law on copyright and related rights in Lithuania came into force in 1999. The 3rd part of Article 16 of this Law says: “When the lending of books and other publications is carried out through libraries, their authors shall have the right to receive equitable remuneration for the transferred exclusive right to lend a work. The amount of remuneration and the procedure of payment shall be established by the Government, taking into account the proposals of the Board of Copyright and Related Rights of Lithuania. This remuneration shall not be paid when the lending of books and other publications is carried out through libraries of education and scientific institutions”. This article came into effect in February 2002.

LATGA-A, the rights management association that represents authors and other creators, was appointed by the government to mange the new PLR system. LATGA-A set up a register of eligible authors and books and began collecting loans information from libraries.

The remuneration for the public lending of books and other publications is paid from central government funds. For the year 2002 the State allocated 100, 000 LTL (28,962 Euros). In 2002 payments were distributed to 210 registered persons (109 book authors, 72 translators and 29 illustrators). Authors must apply to LATGA-A to have their books registered before 1st November.

The payments are made on the basis of book loans and only public libraries are included. Paymenst are not made to compilers, publishers. There is no payment for audio documents and digital books. 70% of the funding is distributed to authors and translators, 30% to illustrators.

In Lithuania the entire compensation is paid to:

All authors (both for foreign and lithuanian authors);
Translators (55% goes to writer, 45% goes to translator)
Ilustrators and photographers

For the year 2003 the state allocated 200 000 Lt (57 000 Euros). The original library sample of two libraries is being expanded as new technology is used to collect loans data.

In the year 2007 some ammendments were made concerning items of our Regulations of payment of remuneration for lending books and other publications in libraries. The state has determined concrete principle how to allocate finances for public lending. The Government made a decision to fix at 10% of the sum, spent for public purchase of books for the Lithuania libraries by the state budget. The Government for the year 2007 allocated 166720 euros. According new scheme all authors (both foreign and lithuanian authors) have a chance to get remunaration.

(updated May 2008)