Stockholm, March 10, 2006
In November, 2004, the lawsuit concerning commercial breaks in films (film
directors Vilgot Sjöman and Claes Eriksson vs. TV4) was tried in the
Stockholm City Court. The City Court established in its judgement on
December 20, 2004, that TV4 by broadcasting advertisements during breaks
in the directors' films had altered the films and thereby infringed the
copyrightholders' distinctive character according to paragraph 3 in the
Copyright Law which governs the moral rights of the artistic creator.
- The Swedish Joint Committee for Artistic and Literary Professionals
(KLYS) naturally has nothing against commercial TV channels, but we must
obviously react when artistic works are violated by being interrupted by
unwarranted advertising breaks. The judgement in the City Court in favour of the
filmmakers was thus very welcome as it indicated that film-making and
the moral rights of artists are taken seriously. As far as KLYS is
concerned, we hope that the judgement will be confirmed in the Court of Appeal, says
Peter Curman, Chairman of KLYS.
The commercial television channel TV4 has appealed against the judgement
in the City Court and their appeal will be heard in the Svea Court of
Appeal on 13-15 March. The main proceedings will commence in the Wrangel Palace on
Riddarholmen, at 09.30 on March 13.
Read more about the background to this case on KLYS web site
www.klys.se
Fighting a legal battle in Sweden requires time, knowledge and economic
resources. For that reason, KLYS has decided to support the film-makers
with legal assistance and economic help in their important case.
For further information, please contact:
Peter Curman, Chairman of KLYS
Tel +46 (0)8 667 88 90 or +46 (0)70-721 25 42
Ulrica Källén, Coordinator/Legal adviser Tel
+46 (0)8 667 88 90