Debate post by the Danish Musicians' Union, Danish Artists' Union, Danish Actors' Union and Danish Union of Journalists - published in Politiken 30 September 2024 and in Altinget 18 November

Those of us who create and distribute music, art and culture to the Danish people are now facing a serious situation that threatens our profession and our members. As representatives of thousands of musicians, actors, artists and journalists who make their living creating content for TV, radio and other media, we view the current conflict with YouSee with great concern.

YouSee, as Denmark's largest TV distributor, cancelled all rights payment agreements back in March, yet continues to sell our content without paying us for our work. They have also initiated a lawsuit demanding to cut our payments by more than 70% from one year to the next - knowing that the content and the work of creating music, journalism, film remains the same.

Our members often make a living from a combination of freelance and project work, which is why rights payments are an essential part of their income. When YouSee chooses to pressurise us with protracted court cases that can potentially last 5-7 years, we risk losing the economic foundation of the entire industry.

An unfair burden on thousands of cultural creators

YouSee has recently transferred a large sum of money to "show their willingness to pay," but the money comes with the condition that it must be paid back with compound interest if the court case goes in YouSee's favour. This means that our members - musicians, composers, actors and other rights holders - risk being left with a huge financial burden that may be impossible to manage. How can you pay for groceries or rent when you potentially have to repay large amounts with interest in many years?

This is a practice that may be normal in the business world, but is completely unacceptable when thousands of people's livelihoods are at stake. Our members cannot wait years for a decision while their finances crumble.

We fear that YouSee is speculating to force us to accept unfair terms by pressurising us financially so that we eventually have no choice but to give in. It's not just unfair - it's directly harmful to the entire cultural life of Denmark. YouSee should stop this tone-deaf strategy and instead engage in a fair dialogue about rights payments that ensures that those who create content are also paid fairly for their work.

Culture is an important part of Danish society and we will not let it be undermined by a short-term economic strategy. We stand together across professions and unions to protect the rights of our members and ensure that Danish culture can continue to flourish.