Original literary, scientific, music or artistic work, such as poetry, article, film, song or sculpture, is protected by copyright. The only author has the right to publish or reproduce his work, as well as hiring the agency to protect him from different types of abuse.
In the countries of the European Union, intellectual property is protected by copyright 70 years after the death of the authors, and 70 years from the death of the co-authors who lived the longest, if it comes to co-authority.
Outside the EU, in the countries signed by the Berne Convention, the copyright protection period may differ, but it lasts at least 50 years since the author’s death. In recent years in the public and media, the Discographic House “Croatia Records” was precisely because of the copyright violation, which is why its YouTube channel was suspended several times by this platform.
In August 2021. The media across the region reported that the High Administrative Court of the Republic of Croatia found that the largest Croatian Diskographer “Croatia Records” was properly privatized by the former “Jugoton”, removing extremely valuable discographic assets. These are phonograms, original first artist recordings such as “Azra”, “white button” or “new fossils”, and on which this discographic house has earned millions of euros for decades.
- “Croatia Records” is almost 30 years old Illegally earns exploiting phonograms that are not hers at all. We especially survive the inert’s inertivity that did not do anything in this regard, as a decision of 2016. Consulting of all open issues in these recordings – said the famous musician Nikša Bratoš, who was the president of the Croatian Music Union.
And the former Frontman “Azre”, the legendary Branimir Johnny Stulic in his rare public appearances claimed Croatia Records damaged him. Štulić’s lawsuits against Croatia Records are mainly concerned with copyright for his albums, but can be assumed in the appearance of the Privatization Privatization in which Yugonon Phonograms were not paid.
- emnogi think that I don’t care about money, but I don’t think so. It is normal to get the money I have earned honestly. No one can take my soul – said Stulic.
In November 2023. Croatia Records remained without YouTube channels, and then at the end of January 2025. Years. EMDC Network and Connect Network that have recently received another verdict against this discographic house, in the name of the authors that are represented, which do not have needed permits, and who have broken the guidelines of the community. The whole situation explained the lawyer Mirko Mrkić, which represents these companies. The last lawsuit that EMDC Network and Connect Network received against Croatia Records related to the use of Hitova Halida Bešlić, Tome Zdravković, Silvan Armenulić, Sheriff Konjevic …
- Proces lasted about a year and a half, and he was led by Kolega Davor Lazić. At the moment, 23 judicial disputes against the Croatian records are underway, both Croatia Records, and against their related parties. Total claims based on the damage is more than 113,000 euros, not counting court fees, adopted law costs … the discographic houses in the region to the copyright issue approach themselves seriously when it comes to their benefit. However, as far as the benefits of the authors, there are a number of examples of non-compliance with the law. The truth in the will, arranging the relationship between the discographers and the author did not help socio-political “transitions” in this area, but also the privatization of certain large discographic houses. This is because of the example, the bases like Croatia Records, took “inherited” the entire discography of the famous State (SFRY) of Jugoton, although phonograms were not estimated as part of the bankruptcy of that former state giant. Not only did the discographic houses continue to use phonograms that, can be said, “found” in the basement, but the authorized author (or their successors) have done interactively available on internet platforms and collected entire revenue from review. Not to be that only Croatia Records violates the rights of the author, other discography, so that the recently suspended YT channels Hayat Production, BN Music, as well as many others, after our platforms – says Mrkić.
As it is further expiring, it is true that the legislation of the republics, which once made a great SFRY, very valid and brought the necessary laws in accordance with market trends. However, the relationship under these laws in terms of consistent respect is what must be done on.
- Fortunately, the shifts slowly see each other, although many “struggles” for the rights of the author is in progress. Since our EMDC Network and Connect Network, which otherwise protects authors from the entire region of the former SFRY, the market, the authors’ position has significantly improved. Copyright infringement takes place mostly in the digital sphere, via the Internet, or, as lawyers say this, “through interactive commitment available” audiovisual content. Previously, probably the most popular YouTube Internet platform offers users channel choices to voluntarily opt for whether their content contains third party rights, such as e.g. Music work (which can be an integral part of itself or to be heard in the background, etc.). Often, channel users, ie. Online content owners, they have opted to be a hundred percent content (Web ASSET) and thus prevent collective organizations of authors to recognize the need to “get” to collect the authors’ rintes. Rare are those who seek to include a music part in the content of the channel, and are even more common to the “Music ASSET”), in which it protects the authors’ rights (rights to collect revenue from the internet monetization and issue permits for processing of musical works). This briefly describes a chronic problem looking for more explanation space – says the end of Mrkić.
