The copyright system secures an economic cycle of rights and remuneration, enabling authors, composers, and visual artists to create works for the benefit of the public. This cycle is a fundamental premise for the creative economy, one of the largest in the world. How can copyright legislation and modern effective management of rights serve as a key factor in securing a free and flourishing discourse?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares the exclusive right to retain control of one’s own literary, scientific or artistic work as a universal human right, together with freedom of speech. From time to time, we hear arguments about copyright being a threat to the freedom of speech. But what is the normal activity of authors and creators, if not the practice of free speech?

Is there a contradiction between everyone’s right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits; and the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary, or artistic production?

Moderator

Yngve Slettholm  – CEO at Kopinor, The Norwegian Reproduction Rights Organisation and former President of IFRRO, The international Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations