German Parliament on January 25, 2002 approved the new copyright provisions intended to improve the contractual protection of authors and performing artists. This decision was preceded by 18 months of heavy lobbying from all parties involved. The last days before the new bill was enacted saw a number of hectic last minute changes. Quite a few of the provisions of the new law certainly create new concepts for the protection of authors and performing artists which have no parallel in other jurisdictions. It needs to be seen whether they will instigate other legislators to follow suit. The most relevant changes are the following:
1.
Authors and performing artists are given a statutory right to an equitable remuneration. If the remuneration agreed upon is deemed not to be equitable the authors and performing artists, during a period of three years from the date they contracted, may claim additional compensation up to the equitable remuneration.
