Filmmakers are giving Sienkiewicz a hard time. “Let’s not rob Polish creators”

Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage published a draft act on copyright and related rights prepared on the basis of a directive of the European Parliament and the EU Council. Poland should implement these guidelines by 2021, but it is still delaying their implementation. Meanwhile, the fine imposed on our country by the European Commission already amounts to approximately PLN 33 million (EUR 14,000 for each day of delay).

Royalties for creators in the second legislative package

The Ministry of Culture, headed by Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, has already prepared an amendment to the Copyright Act. However, it did not include a provision on Internet royalties, thanks to which creators would participate in the profits of streaming services. The Deputy Minister of Culture said that work on the act is still ongoing and that the ministry wants to introduce the EU directive as soon as possible. Provisions on royalties are therefore only to be included in the second legislative package.

The Polish Film Academy intervenes in the matter of royalties to Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz

Young creators and representatives of the Association of Audiovisual Authors and Producers have already appealed to Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz. The Polish Film Academy also got involved in the matter and sent an open letter to the ministry: “Let’s not rob Polish creators when we pay other foreign creators. […] Polish creators and producers of films and series must be guaranteed remuneration also on the Internet for the use of their works, in accordance with the European standard,” we read in the fragment. The Polish Film Academy also proposed the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage to participate in talks “about deep reforms of the audiovisual sector, including remuneration and royalties from all fields as an element of social security for creators.