Extended collective licensing

Extended collective licensing makes it possible for copyright societies to grant licences also on behalf of non-represented authors. This makes it easier to acquire licences in a centralised way.

Based on collective negotiations and agreements, extended collective licensing is regulated in the Copyright Act (Section 26). Operating as an extended collective licensing organisation requires that the organisation is approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Ministry approves the organisation on application for a fixed period, for a maximum of five years.

Organisation may function as an extended collective licensing organisation in the following cases:

  • Photocopying (Section 13): reproduction (producing a copy)
  • Use for internal communication (Section 13a): reproduction and communication to the public
  • Use for educational activities and scientific research (Section 14): reproduction and communication to the public
  • Archives, libraries, museums (Section 16d): reproduction and communication to the public
  • Work of art included in a collection (Section 25a): reproduction and communication to the public
  • Broadcast on radio and television (Section 25f)
  • Ephemeral recording by a broadcasting organisation (Section 25f): reproduction
  • Re-use of an archived programme (Section 25g, subsection 1): reproduction and communication to the public
  • Re-use of work included in a periodical (Section 25g, subsection 2): reproduction and communication to the public   
  • Retransmission (Section 25h)
  • Online storage service for television programmes (Section 25l)
  • Use of a work included in a press publication (Section 25n)

The possibility to prohibit the use of a work or other protected material is included in the provisions. The rightholder cannot, however, prohibit photocopying or retransmission.

Contact information

Jorma Waldén, Deputy Director General 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Division for Copyright Policy and Audiovisual Culture Telephone:0295330338   Email Address: