The Danish Parliament passes amendment to the Copyright Act

Koda has long worked to make language more inclusive. The danish term 'ophavsmand' is unnecessarily gendered, yet it remains the official term in the copyright law until July 1, 2024, when the amendment takes effect. Koda believes that one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a difference is by removing all unnecessarily gendered terms. This ensures that more people can see themselves represented both professionally and legally. By changing the danish term 'ophavsmand' to 'ophaver' - or 'originator' - we are taking an important step towards better representation and inclusion in the music industry.

"With broad support from the Danish Parliament , the Minister of Culture is changing 'ophavsmand' to 'ophaver'. By neutralizing the language in legislation, the Minister is helping to create a foundation for greater diversity and better representation in the cultural sector. I commend him for this and for listening to the cultural sector's desire for this change," says Koda's chairperson, Loui Törnqvist.

The reason for the change

At the beginning of 2023, Koda replaced the danish term 'ophavsmand' with gender-neutral terms in all public and internal communication. The term was changed on Koda's website except for news with historical value. All official documents were adapted, and Koda underwent an internal process to ensure the use of gender-neutral terms throughout the organization. Changes were made to reduce gender stereotypes and strengthen equality.

Several of Koda's members have expressed that they do not wish to sign contracts with gendered terms, as they do not feel sufficiently represented. Therefore, Koda sees it as extremely positive that the Minister of Culture takes gender balance and equality seriously. And that he actually listens to the people who work with the cultural field every day.

The need for structural change

It is widely recognized that the gender balance in the music industry is uneven. Women are underrepresented and receive a significantly smaller share of Koda's payouts compared to their male counterparts. For instance, women earn only nine out of every 100 royalty kroner in the streaming sector, despite comprising 20 percent of the rights holders.

"Gender-neutral terms alone will not rectify the skewed gender balance, but by changing the language, we lay the groundwork for a music industry that is inclusive of all genders. It is a small yet significant step towards a more equitable and inclusive industry," emphasizes Koda's chairperson, Loui Törnqvist.

Koda will continue to strive for equal access and representation for all our members. We encourage the entire industry to adopt gender-neutral terms, so together we can create a more inclusive and representative cultural sector.