Norcode established: NOK 15 million for copyright development activities

The Norwegian Copyright Development Association (Norcode) was established 26 October by five collective management organisations: BONO, Gramo, Kopinor, Norwaco and TONO.

Norcode

From the establishment of Norcode 26 October 2007: Left to right: Leif A. Dramstad, Svein Korshamn, Arnfinn Bjerkestrand, Cathrine Nagell, John-Willy Rudolph, Synne Skouen, Harald Holter, Ingelin Skaret, Sæmund Fiskvik, Jan Terje Helmli, Benedicte Langford, Jahn-Arne Olsen, Yngve Slettholm. (Photo: Jan Espen Storo, TONO)

These organisations have during the last 20 years spent close to 40 million Norwegian kroner on building a cultural infrastructure in developing countries. The establishment of Norcode represents a desire to coordinate and increase these activities. Norwegian rightsholders have received requests for support from writers, visual artists, musicians and others in several African and Asian countries. Norcode will follow up these requests.

The founding member organisations have made a commitment to fund the activities of Norcode with 15 million Norwegian kroner (almost USD 3 million) during 2008–2010. Norcode aims to get additional funding from governmental and private organisations. Through Norcode, Norwegian rightsholders want to share their experience in the organisational and cultural field with colleagues in other countries.

Norcode’s Board
consists of John-Willy Rudolph, chair; Ingelin Skaret, vice chair; Sæmund Fiskvik, Executive Committee member; Harald Holter and Synne Skouen. Deputy members are Trond Andreassen, Arnfinn Bjerkestrand, Benedicte Langford, Asbjørn Schaathun and Elin Urkedal.

2 November 2007