Equipment levy

Reprobel also collects remunerations on reproduction devices: the equipment levy. Manufacturers and professional as well as occasional importers pay a fixed amount on devices capable of reproducing works. Photocopy machines, scanners and multifunctional devices have been subject to this regulation since 1998. Soon, computer printers might also be added to the category.

The amount per device depends on aspects such as the speed at which they can make copies and is legally determined. The amounts are adjusted to the economic index each year.

The payment of the equipment levy follows from the monthly declaration that is sent to Reprobel. The year in which the remunerations are paid, the collection year, is not always the year of use in which the device comes onto the market. A few examples will clarify:

• in 2007 Importer A brought devices onto the market and made a mistake in the classification on the declaration form. In 2008 the mistake was discovered and an additional payment only followed in 2009;
• in 2008, a chain store imported photocopy machines and only realised in 2009 that they owed a remuneration for them. The amount for 2008 was paid in 2009.

Finally: Reprobel only distributes the amounts among the authors and publishers after the remunerations have been billed and paid.