On 23 and 24 September 2026, PLR International welcomed over 75 representatives from 23 countries and the book and literacy sectors around the world to its PLR International Conference in Paris.
The conference of PLR International–established recently and after decades in existence as an official association–, addressed issues such as fair remuneration and how funding can be secured or improved under the three main legal schemes, the options but also the in crucial details different PLR systems around the world, and how PLR can provide also social and cultural support, and stabilise the sustainability of the publishing sector. Participants presented their national views and global visions, to reach a common ground on how the practical ways to fair commitments can be build up together.
The Conference kicked off with a Welcome Reception in the beautiful garden of the Hôtel de Massa, a building steeped in the literary history of France, and was joined by the French cultural and political scenerie.
The Day, opened by PLRI President Arjen Polman (Stichting Leenrecht) together with PLRI Vice President Geoffrey Pelletier (La Sofia) and brilliantly moderated by Nina George (EWC, Political Commissioner) and Nicole Pfister Fetz (EWC, Secretary-General) was filled with six break-out sessions, expert’s Q&A, and interactive panel and audience talks, to facilitate deep dive exchange among the participants. The concept of what is defining a library was as much debated as who is eligible to benefit from library money – and who and why not.
The keynote speech by Claus Ankersen, Danish poet, writer, and Chair of the Danish Authors of Poets and Fiction, brought back what the readers’ quest used to be: a transcendental act. His plea: bring back diversity into library collections, to allow the next generation to discover the “Chamber of Secrets”, instead of outsourcing thinking, reading, and writing, to “AI”.
In a moving memorial service, introduced by Peter Schneider (PLR Canada) and Julia Eccleshare (PLR UK), tribute was paid to the much-loved and dearly missed PLR champions, Jim Parker and Maureen Duffy.
A special thanks goes to our speakers, experts, session presenters and session chairs:
Francesca Navajra (Ceatl President), Anne Bergman-Tahon (General Director, FEP), Isabel Bonameau, Arnaud Robert(Hachette), Giovanni Hoepli (IPA), Kurt van Damme (Reprobel), Samantha Holman (ICLA, IFRRO-President), Ragnheiður Tryggvadóttir (Icelandic Writers Union), Sabine Richly, Peter Schneider (PLR Canada), Julia Eccleshare (PLR UK), Silhle Kumalo (ANFASA), Javier Diaz del Olarte (Cedro), Florence-Marie Piriou (La Sofia), Susanna Brozzu (EVArtists), Maarja Kangro (Estonian Writers Union), Airi-Ulrike Lillevälja (AUTORIHÜVITUSFOND), Jesper Söderström (Swedish Authors Fund).
PLRI submits its heartful MERCI to La Sofia for the perfect hospitality and financial support, to Stichting Leenrecht and Rosan van Genderen for the organisation, and to the team at the Hôtel de Massa for welcoming authors, publishers, CMOs and everyone attached to PLR into a space so rich in both history and present-day life. The spirit of those who once pioneered the concept of ‘authors’ rights’ can still be felt in this building: In 1929, the Société des Gens de Lettres, a society founded in 1838 by famous writers including Honoré de Balzac, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and George Sand, moved in, and hosts letters and manuscripts by authors who have marked the history of French Literati.
BACKGROUND
- PLR is the right for authors to receive a payment for the use of their works in libraries.
- PLR is a key mechanism for ensuring that libraries can foster literacy through an offer of diverse, high-quality books, written and translated under fair conditions.
- PLR is a commitment to fairness – but only 35 countries have PLR-systems in place. Neither in the U.S., nor in Latin America or the African continent this fairness is yet established.
- PLR is, where it is functioning and with a decent budget by the State, an essential part of authors’ remuneration and income.
