A new European Union directive, due to come into force in the UK in 2006, will give visual artists, for the first time, the right to a percentage of the revenue from the resale of their works. The right, known as 'Droit de Suite', will be levied on a sliding scale on any works selling for more than 3,000 Euro.
In preparation for the introduction of the directive in the UK, the Arts Council of England commissioned research to review the current practice of Droit de Suite.
The report, Implementing Droit de Suite (artists’ resale right) in England by Clare McAndrew and Lorna Dallas-Conte, outlines the operation of the right in five European countries and in California. It also examines how other rights, such as performing rights, currently operate in the UK and explores a number of possible models for implementing Droit de Suite.
Seminars to discuss the implementation of the right were held at the Arts Council in March and at the UK Patent Office in April.
The full report can be ordered at a local cost of GB£10 from the Arts Council’s publications distributor, Marston Books, tel + 44 (0) 1235 465500, Fax + 44 (0) 1235 465 555, or email
For further information, contact Annie Clark, Visual Arts Department +44 (0) 20 7973 6470 or email [email protected]