Some of Europe’s leading creative bodies have announced a crucial development relating to the Author Resale Right.
The group, which includes the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), European Visual Artists (EVA) and the European Council of Artists, have successfully campaigned for the European Commission to adopt the Author Resale Right, ensuring an equitable share for visual artists from the resale of their works.
The agreement, Key Principles and Recommendations on the management of the Author Resale Right, has been signed by 17 organisations, including the Association of Art and Antique Dealers, and the auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s. In principle it should have a major financial impact for visual artists, as it states that artists should earn an equitable share from the resale of their works on the art market, when these works are resold by galleries or auction houses.
The formal document was officially signed and unveiled at a ceremony in Brussels organised by Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.
He said: “All participants have set aside their differences to ensure that a shared conviction prevails, namely the necessity to continue to improve the collective management of rights in order to further encourage the creation of original art works.
“If we want to maintain a creative and dynamic art market in Europe, we must raise the question of the social and economic status that our society grants to its creators.”
Olivier Hinnewinkel, director general of CISAC, said: “The resale right is a fundamental right for visual artists, whose remuneration primarily comes from the material sale of their works. The adoption of the Key Principles and Recommendations on the management of the Author Resale Right is a significant achievement and an important step for the Author Resale Right in Europe.”
