Levy for manufacturers and importers of audio and video equipment and storage media is established

On 11 November 2023, the Council of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 771 “On reproduction of works and objects of related rights for personal use”, according to which, starting from 13 November, manufacturers and importers of equipment and storage media that are commonly used to reproduce audiovisual works (music, video) will have to pay remuneration in the following amounts:

• equipment manufacturers - 0.1% of the amount of revenue (excluding VAT) from the sale of manufactured equipment;
• importers of equipment - 0.1% of the total value of the imported equipment;
• importers of tangible media - 0.3% of the total value of imported storage media.

Remuneration will be paid for the reproduction of audiovisual works, works embodied in phonograms, phonograms for personal use.

The remuneration will be collected by an organisation for the collective management of property rights on the basis of agreements with importers and manufacturers of equipment and tangible media.

The list of equipment and storage media, the sale and import of which become subject to payment of the new remuneration, is established by the Resolution No. 771.  They include, in particular, tape recorders of various types, radio receivers, other receiving, sound-reproducing and sound-recording equipment, optical discs and other goods.