Lobbying by Finnish Authors´ Copyright Society Sanasto

Finnish Authors´ Copyright Society Sanasto

Sanasto

Sanasto on kirjailijoiden ja kääntäjien perustama tekijänoikeusjärjestö.

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ID: 025938212702-61

Lobbying Activity

Response to A Culture Compass for Europe

28 May 2025

Sanasto Finnish Literary Copyright Society represents 18,000 Finnish authors and translators. Sanasto warmly welcomes the creation of Cultural Compass for Europe and the strengthening of cultural policy and cooperation between Member States. Increasing dialogue among all cultural stakeholders is also an excellent objective as well as defining a long-term vision for the cultural and creative sectors within the EU. Sanasto wishes to highlight that all creators need strong protection against unauthorized use of their creative work, ensuring ethical usage and fair compensation. 1) Cultural sector face challenges brought about by digital use of works, including declining creator incomes, as more users or entities assume the right to access creative works at minimal or no cost. In the book industry, this issue is particularly relevant to the markets for e-books and audiobooks, where authors and translators are finding themselves in an increasingly precarious position. On small language areas, it is essential that authors and the economic foundations of their livelihoods, including their opportunities to sustain themselves through their work, are recognized within the cultural ecosystem. By integrating cultural creators and copyrights from the outset into the promotion of the cultural economy, accessibility, and green values, it is possible to foster a genuinely sustainable and vibrant cultural life in the long term. In literature, this means fostering a future for diverse, broad-ranging, and compelling works. However, the current trajectory of digital usage in literature appears to lead in the opposite direction: toward a future where only the best-selling, fast-paced, and audio-oriented literature seems to thrive. 2) The role of public libraries and university libraries is critically important for reading literacy and learning, as they provide everyone with access to literary works a role further emphasized by digital solutions. At the same time, very different approaches have been taken at the national level within the EU regarding the library use of e-books. These approaches warrant careful examination, as Member States seek to preserve and protect the future of literature while ensuring that authors and publishers can continue their work. The fundamental right of intellectual property cannot be overridden by the notion of "general benefit." It is also in the interest of citizens that the literary field in Europe thrives! For public libraries, the adoption of green practices must be implemented with full respect for copyright. Otherwise, authors risk losing their ability to pursue their work, and the diverse range of titles offered by publishers may shrink, limiting availability to only a few highly marketable genres. 3) As AI regulation advances both domestically and within the EU, it is of vital importance to uphold creators legal rights to determine the use of their work and to receive appropriate remuneration including in cases where books, pictures, or other creative works are used in the training of AI models. Questions related to the training of AI are shared concerns across the sector, but practical solutions may vary significantly depending on the field. Transparency is the key to launching practices that ensure strong protection against unauthorized use of creative content, while also promoting ethical usage and fair compensation. 4) In cultural policymaking and decision-making it is crucial to consistently consider the livelihood and intellectual property rights of creators in a cross-sectoral manner. If these aspects are overlooked, the future will lack flourishing, professional cultural work and the vital innovations of the cultural sector. Acknowledging the creative industry's and cultural ecosystem's needs ultimately benefits all Member States and their citizens, as well as creative professionals, SMEs, and cultural enterprises. There is considerable unexploited potential within the creative industries.

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