Member of the Dutch parliament Fred Teeven (VVD) has raised questions concerning the fewer investment revenues whereas Buma/Stemra considers it's results to be acceptable given this eventful investing climate.
When presenting their annual report Buma/Stemra has pointed out that they have spread all risk of their collected assets and let reserves accumulate. In doing so they can guarantee to continue rewarding authors in the best way possible, a method that has proven itself successful in the past ten years.
Buma/Stemra uses the policy that revenues from investments are reserved on the balance sheet for more difficult periods. The losses suffered in 2008 were compensated, partly from the reserves of previous years.
Association's policy
Teeven addressed the question whether collective collecting societies should be allowed to make investments. It is the primary task of a collecting societies to handle the collected assets in a responsible manner. Because Buma/Stemra is an association the policy regarding these investments is set out and decided upon by the board of members. After all Buma/Stemra represents the music authors and is concerned with their income.