Authors Rights

Copyright in Finland

Copyright protects and promotes intellectual creation in its different forms. By recognising the right of individuals to control the use of their works, society encourages creativity, at the same time promoting the production and distribution of immaterial products and investment and trade in them. The protection of cultural commodities and their accessibility underpins national culture and social development.

Copyright is governed by national legislation, EU directives and international conventions. The Finnish copyright legislation was amended in 2005. In Finland copyright matters come under the Ministry of Education.

The holders of copyright have established associations to administer and supervise their rights and negotiate with publishers and radio and TV companies on the general terms for using recordings and other protected materials; they also advise their members in copyright matters.

The UJF is on of 44 member organisations of Kopiosto, which supervises rights relating to photocopying, recording and the retransmission of television and radio programmes.