Updates in Distribution Rules Video On Demand (VOD)
This topic concerns Mechanical rights for works in American film productions, for which we will introduce new distribution rules in 2022.
In November 2021, STIM decided to update the distribution rules for VOD services to adapt them to present industry practice. At the beginning of next year, we will distribute royalties to all copyright types for these services. As stated in previous distribution rules, we did not distribute mechanical royalties for works in American film productions before.
In addition, there have been breakthroughs for licensing the VOD market in recent years, supported by the fact that STIM has agreements with the majority of current VOD services. The general trend among consumers is that the use of VOD services is also increasing. All in all, compared to previous STIM distributions, this means that you will receive royalties for mechanical rights for works from an increased number of films and series available in VOD services.
The process of implementing the new distribution rules to our systems will go on throughout 2022, and at the beginning of 2023, all licensed VOD services will be covered. We work hard to make this change as smooth as possible, and we ask for your understanding if obstacles occur along the way. We implement these improvements to achieve a fair and even more correct distribution.
The plan during 2022 for rolling out the mechanical rights on works in American film productions in the VOD services is:
- March distribution – Netflix, Viaplay, and CMore - SVOD (Subscription video on demand)
- June distribution - SF Anytime and Viaplay - T-VOD (Transactional video on demand) and EST (Electronic Sell Through).
- September distribution - where applicable, newly licensed SVOD services