The Dutch Copyright Act is in force in the Netherlands. This states that the creator of a work of literature, science or art enjoys automatic protection of their works. See What is copyright? or www.auteursrecht.nl for further information.
You do not have to do anything to obtain copyright. Copyright is there automatically when you create a work. You do not have to apply, deposit or register anything. However, in practice there may be situations in which someone else claims to be the author of your work and to own the copyright. Registering your work will prevent misunderstandings about the authorship of the work. There are a number of ways to do this, e.g. at a tax office with a “registration and succession” department, or with a solicitor. Another option is to submit an I-DEPOT with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (www.boip.int), where you can also do an MP3 upload.
Registering your works with Buma/Stemra does not act as legal proof of ownership.
Copyright only ends after 70 years, counting from the next first of January after the year in which the creator died.
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is understood to be ‘the imitation of someone else’s work or style, with the intention of passing it off as your own creation’. Those who imitate someone else’s work and presents themselves as the creator or deviser of the work are committing plagiarism. The above clarifies the distinction with another form of imitation: forgery….
What does the standing committee for plagiarism do?
Buma/Stemra has set up a permanent committee to look into disputes relating to plagiarism (Vaste Commissie Plagiaat). The committee consists of music experts and individual lawyers and assesses disputes between composers, lyricists and music publishers who are affiliated to Buma/Stemra. The committee does not act on its own initiative, but examines cases brought by the…
