Assessment of the Belgian additional remuneration rights for authors and performers (Articles 54 and 62 of the Law of 19 June 2022) in light of EU law

Abstract

This contribution focuses on the Belgian transposition of Directive 2019/790 (“CDSMD”). Specifically, it is concerned with assessing the compatibility of Articles 54 and 62 of Law of 19 June 2022 (“Belgian Law”) with Articles 17 and 18 CDSMD.

Both Articles 54 and 62 of the Belgian Law have introduced an additional remuneration right (“ARR”) in favour of authors and performers who have transferred their rights to third parties for the communication/making available to the public of their works and performances. The former relates to uses of works and performances by online content-sharing services providers (“OCSSPs”), while the latter concerns uses by streaming services. In turn, Article 17 CDSMD governs the use of protected content by OCSSPs (as defined in Article 2, No 6 therein). Article 18 CDSMD sets forth a principle of appropriate and proportionate remuneration of authors and performers in certain cases.

This opinion explains why the ARRs introduced by the Belgian legislature through Articles 54 and 62 of the Belgian Law are incompatible with inter alia the EU law provisions referred to above and, therefore, the obligations of the Belgian State as arising from its EU membership.

Keywords: copyright, CDSMD, additional remuneration right, Belgium, Article 17 CDSMD, Article 18 CDSMD