Effects of the implementation of the CRM Directive on the Norwegian music environment : Direct and indirect effects of the Directive in the case of Norway

Abstract

Since the beginning of digitalisation, the music industries have struggled to develop systems for the accurate and fair collection and distribution of remuneration for the exploitation of rights. Systems are often found to be less than optimal, as a consequence of them being designed to work in an offline environment that is no longer present, making them outdated and dysfunctional. Ideally, such systems are developed naturally in tandem with disruption and change. This however, does not always happen, and it is in cases like these that lawmakers are forced to step in. Legislation does have a remarkable tendency of arriving late, often years after the need for it arises; but if the need is there, legislation will eventually make its appearance. This thesis is a study on the implications of the CRM Directive on the Norwegian field of rights management and the Norwegian music environment. The study seeks to present the case of Norway as it is today, the relevance of the Directive in this regard, and the viewpoints of important individuals linked to the Norwegian organisational environment. In order to do so, relevant theory and analyses of the CRM Directive and interviews with leading professionals in Norway have formed the basis for evaluating the circumstances and challenges surrounding the field. The findings of the study suggest that the Norwegian environment is both a modern and favourable place to be for rights holders, but that some changes will have to occur in order for the industry to be able to meet the challenges ahead. Although digital change has a longstanding tradition of being met with fear and resistance, this thesis will show that the Directive might not be so scary or radical after all. Perhaps, this time the EU has managed to find a solution to the problems with collective rights management that the industry is willing to accept.