Operator levy
Since 1 January 1998 Reprobel has collected remunerations on reproductions of protected works. This ‘operator levy’ is based on an estimate of the number of copies from protected works. The tariff per copy is legally determined and is adjusted to the economic index annually in January.
Companies, copyshops, government institutions, schools, associations, independent contractors and members of the liberal professions pay these remunerations per year of use.
The payment of the operator levy stems from a contract with Reprobel or an annual declaration form for Reprobel:
- with a contract an estimate is made, in mutual consultation, of the number of copies that have been made from protected works. Per sector there are usually generally accepted percentages of protected works on the total number of copies or a generally accepted number of copies of protected works per employee.
- with a declaration you make a one-sided estimate of the percentage of copies of copyright protected works you make. Reprobel suggests a minimum percentage per sector based on studies that are regularly carried out by market research bureaus for Reprobel. It is possible for Reprobel to dispute your one-sided declaration and for them to subsequently seek a settlement.
The year in which the remunerations are paid, the collection year, is not always the same as the year of use. A few examples will clarify:
- In 2008 Company A paid for three years of use: 2008, 2009 and 2010. Only in 2011 is the company asked to make a new payment.
- Copyshop B started in 2007. In 2009 the copyshop paid for the years of use 2007 and 2008.
Finally: Reprobel only distributes the amounts among the authors and publishers after the remunerations have been billed and paid.
