On February 28, 2025, Executive Order No. 150/2025 (hereinafter, “the Order”) was published in the Official Gazette, which establishes amendments to the regime applicable to copyrights and related rights, to promote transparency and control in their management.
This Order reaffirms the constitutional basis of copyrights enshrined in Article 17 of the National Constitution, which recognizes authors and inventors as exclusive owners of their works, inventions and discoveries for the term established by law. It also reaffirms the validity of Law No. 11,723, which protects copyright and regulates intellectual property, guaranteeing the rights of creators over their works as regards publication, reproduction, performance and translation, among other aspects.
Within this framework, the Order provides for a reorganization of the role of the Argentine Society of Authors and Composers of Music (SADAIC), which will continue to play its role in the collective management of economic royalties.
On the other hand, reforms are introduced through the appointment of an auditor under the Ministry of Justice, in charge of guaranteeing transparency in the administration of resources and the auditing of collection and distribution procedures. The Auditor, appointed by the Ministry, will have a term of office of four years, will receive a specific remuneration, will attend SADAIC meetings with voice but without vote, and will be able to request information on the dissemination and protection of the authorial repertoire administered. If SADAIC’s discounts exceed 30% of its revenues, it must inform the Ministry and propose corrective measures.
In turn, the Order promotes a framework of competition among collecting societies, allowing the coexistence of associations representing similar authorial interests. This measure seeks to foster a competitive environment that benefits rights holders, ensuring effective protection of their interests and wider access to the cultural industry.
Finally, the Order establishes specific deadlines for the adaptation of SADAIC’s Bylaws to the new provisions, as well as clear rules on the applicable tariffs and proportions to guarantee an equitable distribution of the income generated by the exploitation of works. In this context, the prohibition to retain undistributed funds is maintained, to ensure that creators receive the corresponding economic retributions.
In conclusion, Executive Order No. 150/2025 makes substantial changes to the intellectual property regime, with the aim of increasing transparency, monitoring and competitiveness in the administration of economic copyrights.
