A Value Sensitive Design Approach to Equitable Remuneration of the Dutch Music Copyright System in the Digital Age

Abstract

There is a need for modernizing the Dutch collective management system of music copyright to match the rapidly changing digital music industry. Focusing on the often-neglected human values aspect, this study, part of a larger PhD research, examines the value preferences of music rights holders: creators and publishers. It aims to advise on technological redesign for music copyright management system and contribute to discussions on equitable collective management. Building upon prior research, which comprehensively analyzed the Dutch music copyright system and identified key stakeholders, this paper analyses 24 interviews with those key stakeholders to identify their values and potential value tensions. Initial findings establish a set of shared values, crucial for the next phases of the study – values operationalization. This research makes a academic contribution by integrating the Value Sensitive Design (VSD) approach with Distributive Justice Theory, enriching VSD's application and enhancing our understanding of the Economics of Collective Management (ECM).