Public Lending Right (PLR) is the right of authors and other rightsholders to receive payment for the free public use of their works in libraries. PLR has been in existence since the 1940s. The first country to establish a PLR system was Denmark in 1946, followed by Norway in 1947 and Sweden in 1954.

In every PLR country the use of authors’ works in public libraries forms the bedrock of the system. Additionally, other types of library, such as school and university libraries, may be included.

The lending of copyrighted works is an exclusive copyright and therefore subjected to the prior, explicit and specific authorisation of the authors and further rightsholder(s) concerned. However, for the public lending of these works by public libraries, a specific legal framework and regulation may apply. This public lending right (PLR) is either based on (a legal exception to) copyright or on national legislation outside the scope of copyright (such as a national cultural policy).

PLR is managed collectively through legal licences or another type of collective licensing scheme as provided by national law. PLR remuneration is an important source of revenue for authors (including in many cases visual authors, such as illustrators, and translators), and for other rightsholders such as publishers as defined by national laws. PLR is a real driver for cultural diversity via a wide offering of copyrighted materials in public libraries. It ensures the sustainability of the creative and information sector, and it fosters literacy and the love of reading.

WHAT IS PLR INTERNATIONAL (PLRI)?

 PLR International (PLRI) brings together rightsholders and other stakeholders from countries with or looking to set up a PLR scheme. It facilitates the exchange of best practices and provides advice and technical assistance on a global scale.

Discover what we do on our new website: www.plrinternational.com.

You can read PLRI’s statutes in French and English here.

From 2014-2024, the EWC was part of the PLR International Steering Committee.
Since 2 December 2025, PLR International (PLRI) is an official association under Swiss Law. The EWC is one of its seven founding members, and represents the authors’ perspective in the international collaboration of the book sector. Nicole Pfister Fetz, EWC’s Secretary-General, is regular Board Member of PLRI, Nina George, Commissioner for Politcal Affairs, alternate Board Member.