Copyright Council

The key holders of protected rights and the users of protected works regulated in the Copyright Act are represented in the Copyright Council. Besides the chairperson and vice-chairperson, at least one other external expert member is appointed to the Council.

The Council is established by the Copyright Act and the Copyright Decree. The Government assigns the members of the Council for three years at a time.The current period of office of the Council is from 15 October 2024 to 14 October 2027.

Statements by the Copyright Council

The statements issued by the Copyright Council cover key questions related to how to interpret copyright; for instance, the copyrightability standards, economic and moral rights, communication to the public, limitations on copyright, and transfer of copyright.

The statements are in the form of recommendations. They do not legally bind the courts of law, any persons requesting a statement, or any counterparty.

The Copyright Council does not provide statements where a request for a statement involves the interpretation of other areas of law or is related to a contractual dispute, or where it is not a case of interpretation of copyright law.

Where a counterparty is involved in a request for a statement, the counterparty is given the opportunity to supply a response, unless providing one is evidently unnecessary.

Each matter is handled on the basis of the information presented by the parties concerned. As a rule, the Copyright Council does not obtain evidence in any matter.

Requesting a statement from the Copyright Council 

Anyone may request a statement: for example, private individuals, business enterprises, associations, the Police, administrative authorities and courts of law. 

The Copyright Council issues statements on the basis of a written request for a statement. A statement request can also be submitted by email at the following address: [email protected].

For more information, please contact the secretary of the Copyright Council.

Contact information:

Copyright Council (Tekijänoikeusneuvosto)
Ministry of Education and Culture
PO Box 29
FI-00023 Valtioneuvosto
Tel. +358 (0)295 330505  
[email protected]

Senior Specialist, Legal Affairs, Perttu Virtanen functions as secretary of the Copyright Council.