framework a private copy exception to the authors and editors rights. If a member State chooses to do so, it must also introduce a compensation for the copyright holders. Most European countries, except for Norway, have introduced a private copying levy that compensates the owners directly from the country's budget. In 2009, the sum awarded to them was $55 million. In all but a few of these countries (exceptions include the UK and Malta), the levy is imposed on all machines and blank materials capable of copying copyrighted works.

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