Copyright

Copyright is a fundamental factor for originators, creators and rights holders being able to make a living from their creative pursuits. Copyright is therefore fundamental to the cultural ecosystem. In 2017, the Government gave the Swedish Patent and Registration Office the task of extending its mandate to also include copyright. The purpose was for public actors, the business community and the general public to better understand the meaning of copyright, including its scope and limitations. In addition, the existing opportunities to access creative, cultural and innovative material would be highlighted. Trademark infringement in the form of piracy is also to be counteracted through information and knowledge-enhancing initiatives. The mandate also aimed to shine a spotlight on the opportunities thus offered in terms of access to creative, cultural and innovative material, including by digital means. This included clarifying, on the one hand, what is freely available to use as it is not covered by copyright protection, and on the other, the opportunities that exist to use copyrighted material while protecting and respecting the originator's rights.