Opt-out

BumaStemra has an opt-out arrangement that allows you to exploit some categories of your music yourself. We call this flexible management. Flexible management allows you to exclude certain categories from your exploitation agreement with BumaStemra, while still enjoying the benefits of your membership. You can also choose to join only for some countries.

You might find the opt-out scheme interesting if:

• You write a lot of commissioned music
• Your music is often performed by other artists
• You perform regularly
• You release music under your own management
• Your music is played internationally
• You write library music, stock music or design music

What should you consider if you want to use the opt-out scheme for one or more categories?

• You can only exclude by category, not by work
• You will only receive annual statements from BumaStemra for the payments you receive through BumaStemra
• Income from copyright that you manage yourself must be reported as income to the tax authorities
• The amount of your income you receive through BumaStemra will change. This could potentially affect the pension provision provided by BumaStemra under certain conditions
• A decrease in income through BumaStemra could affect your voting rights

• Arranging your own copyright means that you:
  • Negotiate licences directly with the parties involved
  • Collect the fees yourself
  • Enforce the direct agreements yourself and also enforce them if your music is used without your permission

• If you are you already a member and would you like to use one or more of the above options, please remember that this can be changed annually with three months’ notice (no later than 30 September).

If you are considering using one or more opt-out options, read below to see what options are available. You can choose an opt-out for each main category. Everything that falls under this will be included in the opt-out scheme. The only exception is your online rights. Here you can specify per sub-category which rights you want to exclude from exploitation by BumaStemra.

The opt-out options:

2. RTV and Simulcasting

• Public broadcasts on radio and TV channels
• Cable retransmission or rebroadcasts
• Broadcasts outside the venue via screens and loudspeakers, for example if the audience can simultaneously follow the concert outside the concert hall.

4. Mechanical

• Recording, copying and distributing work on a sound carrier, for example CDs or vinyl
• Synchronising work for an audiovisual or multimedia work
• Storing work in a database or similar medium. This applies to music, as well as film, photos and text
• Making private copies on CDs and smartphones (private copying)
• Lending and renting out your work on videos or CDs.

Do you want to use the opt-out scheme? To change your exploitation agreement, please submit the copyright exploitation amendment form to us by 30 September at the latest!

Interested in discovering the extra options we offer for more flexible rights management? Read more here.