Study on contractual practices affecting the transfer of copyright and related rights and the ability of creators and producers to exploit their rights : [final report]

In order to exercise their rights, authors and performers typically transfer those rights to third parties. The rules and practices governing such transfers vary across Member States (MS) and sectors (i.e. music, audiovisual, visual arts, literary works or videogames). Additionally, it is worth noting that issues related to rights transfers are particularly relevant for producers in the digital environment, especially when collaborating with global streaming platforms, and to a lesser extent with broadcasters, as also highlighted by the European Media Industry Outlook. The aim of this study, conducted by Verian Group, Milieu Consulting, NTT DATA and VUB, on behalf of the European Commission (DG CNECT), is to gather information and evidence on contractual practices involving transfers of copyright and related rights and to assess the impacts of these practices on authors, performers and audiovisual producers. The study covers the following stakeholder groups: - authors and performers from the audiovisual, music, visual arts, literary works and videogames sectors; - producers in the audiovisual sector.