Sweden adopting national treatment for artists

Recently, Sweden's Ministry of Justice has announced to implement national treatment remuneration rules for music usage, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change represents a significant advancement in aligning national copyright laws with European Union directives and it ensures that foreign music creators receive the same remuneration as Swedish nationals, promoting fairness and equity in the global music industry.

The Netherlands was among the first to respond to the Court of Justice of the European Union's (CJEU) 2020 ruling in the RAAP v. PPI case. By January 1, 2021, the Dutch collection society SENA began implementing national treatment, extending equitable remuneration rights to non-EEA performers and producers, including those from the United States. Similarly, Denmark's collecting society, Gramex, has recently aligned its practices with the CJEU's directive, ensuring that foreign artists receive equitable remuneration for the use of their music within Denmark. ​

Sweden's decision to adopt national treatment further underscores the importance of non-discriminatory practices in the creative sector and highlights the evolving landscape of international copyright law. As more countries follow suit, the global music industry moves closer to a fair and equitable system for all creators, regardless of nationality.