33 Years Later: MUSICAUTOR and CISAC Host International Roundtable on Private Copying in Bulgaria

14.04.2025 г.

MUSICAUTOR and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) are organizing a roundtable discussion titled “33 Years Later – The Big Conversation About Private Copying in Bulgaria,” which will be held on May 13, 2025, at Vivacom Art Hall Oborishte 5, Sofia.

The event is part of a series of initiatives surrounding the CISAC General Assembly, which, for the first time in history, will be hosted by a Balkan country — a recognition of the region's cultural and institutional role in the development of authors' rights. MUSICAUTOR has been entrusted with the responsibility and confidence to organize the forum.

Bulgaria – Outside European Practice

“Bulgaria is the only country in the European Union that has not fully implemented the private copying mechanism. Through this forum, we aim to provide the context that can unlock opportunities for supporting and financing Bulgarian culture,” said Ivan Dimitrov, Executive Director of MUSICAUTOR.

The absence of a compensation mechanism for private copying harms both Bulgarian and international creators and hinders the sustainable development of culture in the country.

The roundtable aims to bring the topic back into the spotlight, looking beyond national borders and focusing on proven international models for the fair and transparent implementation of private copying mechanisms in favor of authors.

Representatives of leading international and partner organizations will participate in the event, including:

  • CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers)

  • SAA (Society of Audiovisual Authors)

  • IFRRO (International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations)

  • GESAC (European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers)

  • COPIE FRANCE (French Private Copying Organization)

  • ARTISJUS (Hungarian Collective Management Society)

  • SOKOJ (Serbian Collective Management Organization)

During the forum, the results of the first-ever sociological survey in Bulgaria dedicated to consumers' private copying habits will be presented. The research was conducted by Alpha Research in the first quarter of 2025 and funded by CISAC as part of efforts to align Bulgarian legislation with European standards.

What is Private Copying?

Private copying allows individuals to legally record and reproduce music, films, books, and other protected content for personal use. To ensure fairness and compensate authors for the use of their works, European legislation has introduced a system of compensation payments. These are collected from manufacturers and importers of devices and media used for copying and are redistributed to authors and rights holders. This system balances the public's right to access and the need for creators to receive fair remuneration for their work.