Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Legislation, Markets and Companies

According to the June 30 ruling of the Tallinn Circuit Court that entered into force on Dec. 8, compensation must be paid to the Estonian Authors' Society, Estonian Association of the Phonogram Producers, Estonian Performers' Association, Estonian Association of Audiovisual Authors, Estonian Composers' Union, Association of Estonian Professional Musicians, Estonian Theater Directors' Union, Association of Estonian Scenographers, and Association of Professional Actors of Estonia.

In accordance with the verdict of the second tier Tallinn Circuit Court, these associations will get from the state three million euros in compensation for 2014-2018 and 436,801.80 euros as a penalty for delay for the period of June 25, 2018 to June 30, 2020.

The associations had sought an amount of more than 48.5 million euros and a penalty for delay from the government. 

After the circuit court's decision at the end of June, Priit Latt, attorney with PwC Legal that represented the authors' organizations in the litigation, described the decision by the circuit court as a step towards restoring a fee system that has ceased to exist in Estonia, but as nonetheless insufficient for ensuring the protection of Estonian culture and creative works as well as for observing the minimum standard set by EU law.

The authors' associations started the litigation with the government in fall 2018.