In 2019, the corresponding figure was 275–297 million files. There were a total of more than 900,000 copiers of music and video material.
According to the Copyright Act, everyone has the right to copy published works such as music, films and TV programmes for private use. The compensation for private copying paid by the state for authors, performers and producers for the reproduction of copies of a work for private use is defined in the act. The remunerations are distributed to copyright holders by copyright organisations.
More than 500 million pages of copyrighted graphic materials copied
Three out of four people living in Finland have printed, saved, photocopied or scanned graphic materials for private use in the past year. The most frequently used modes of copying are printing and saving. These modes also involve the highest volumes as pages.
The printed or saved graphic material is most frequently a private person whose blog or website has been copied. Additional publishers include companies and public administration.
It is estimated that, in Finland, 535–613 million pages of graphic materials covered by the compensation for private copying provision are printed, saved, photocopied or scanned every year. No compensations are currently paid to copyright holders for the private copying of graphic materials.
Taloustutkimus gathers annual data of private copying on the Ministry of Education and Culture’s commission. The studies are planned by a working group that, in addition to the Ministry of Education and Culture, includes representatives of copyright organisations and trade and industry. Kopiosto is also involved in the working group.
Text: Rainer Vallius and Maria Bregenhøj
Photo: Canva