Renewed calls have been made for the UK to introduce a statutory private copying scheme, following the publication of a major report from the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).

Private copying schemes operate across the world as a mechanism for compensating creators when their works are stored and copied for personal use. Such copying is often permitted under relevant copyright law. However, to accommodate changes in how content is consumed and the devices on which it can be copied, legislators have introduced schemes under which a small levy is charged on blank media and/or electronic devices, which is then distributed to creators.

The ‘Private Copying Global Study’ from CISAC surveys the success of these schemes across the world, finding that they generated €1.06 billion for creators worldwide in 2024 and delivered “significant and reliable benefits to creators” while having “a minimal impact on the livelihoods of consumers”.

The UK is notable for not having such a scheme, despite repeated calls from creators and policymakers for one to be introduced. Last year, for example, in its report on ‘Creator Remuneration’, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee recommended that the Government works with the UK’s creative industries to develop a private copying scheme. Similarly, the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) urged that a ‘Smart Fund’ be established which would operate as a “sustainable and future-proof solution to supporting the UK’s arts and culture sector”.

 So far, the Government’s response to such calls has been somewhat lukewarm. Reacting to the Committee’s Report, it did not rule out the introduction of a private copying scheme in the future, but said that more evidence is needed about its efficacy, given the decline in private copying as people turn to streaming services.

The CISAC report has prompted renewed calls for the introduction of the Smart Fund or a similar private copying scheme. In its response, the DACS said that “the UK remains one of the few major markets without a functioning private copying remuneration scheme. The report’s findings bolster the argument that introducing the Smart Fund would bring the UK in line with international best practice”.

To read the report in full, click here.