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Shaping Europe’s digital future
  • REPORT / STUDY
  • Pubblikazzjoni 27 Marzu 2025

Commission publishes study on contractual practices affecting the transfer of copyright and related rights

The study provides an overview of contractual practices used in certain creative sectors (audiovisual, music, visual arts, video games, and literary works), focusing on the transfer of copyright and related rights from authors/performers and audiovisual producers to contractual counterparts exploiting these rights.

A person's hand hovering over a laptop keyboard with a copyright symbol displayed on the screen.

GettyImages © anyaberkut

The study analyses the use of contractual practices involving a full transfer of rights, such as buy-out contracts, and assesses how such contractual practices affect authors’ remuneration and producers’ ability to invest in creative content, following up on the findings of 2023 Media Industry Outlook.

The study also examines the relevant provisions of the 2019 Copyright Directive on the remuneration of authors and performers, and identifies relevant national rules in the field of copyright and contract law. Finally, the study explores the issue of choice of law and choice of jurisdiction in contractual agreements.

Access the study