A threat to artists and consumers
No private copying of CDs, DVDs or MP3 files, no recording of TV programs: this is the scenario facing consumers in Switzerland as a result of a parliamentary initiative calling for the abolition of the levy on blank media such as recordable CDs or DVDs, MP3 players or hard disk VCRs.
At the beginning of April, members of the Swiss parliament received a letter and a petition signed by some 3,200 artists and over 70 cultural organizations from all over Switzerland. In the letter, the artists and organizations recommend rejection of the PLR's parliamentary initiative to abolish the levy on blank media such as recordable CDs and DVDs, and other memory media such as MP3 players, hard disk recorders, cell phones and tablets.
For the rights holders of the various repertoires, the consequences of abolishing the system would be devastating: they could lose up to 12 million francs a year. In addition, the amount allocated to social welfare and cultural promotion would fall by 1.3 million francs a year.
Abolishing the levy on blank media would also have far-reaching consequences for consumers: it would mean banning the copying of CDs, MP3 files, films, books or photographs for private use; or else such copying would only be possible with prior agreement and on the basis of individual contracts. In practice, the latter option would entail a great deal of work and high costs.
