STIM's history

Milestones in the history of STIM.

2014 Karsten Dyhrberg Nielsen is appointed new CEO of STIM
2012 Stim is moving to new premises in Sockholm. The new address is Hornsgatan 103.
2010

ICE is put into operation. The work documentation system gradually integrated from January.

 

2009 Svensk Musik, Swedish Music Information Centre, separates from STIM and establishes a wholly owned STIM company on 1 July.
2007 ICE, International Copyright Enterprise, is founded as a jointly owned company. The owners are STIM and STIM's British counterpart PRS for Music. ICE will handle data volumes such as work documentation, music reporting and royalties.
2006

STIM's returns exceed SEK 1 billion for the first time.

Revenues from abroad have never been higher. Around a third of the returns consist of revenue from abroad, a third consist of mechanical revenue and a third consist of performance revenue in Sweden. 

2005 The Copyright Act is revised on the basis of an EU directive
2003

STIM's statutes are amended. The amendment means that the Government no longer appoints representatives to STIM's board, which has has been the case since 1943.

Kenth Muldin becomes the new CEO and Gunnar Petri becomes the new chairman of the board.

2002 For the first time in STIM's history, mechanical revenue decreases as a result of declining record sales.
1997

STIM begins offering service via the Internet.

Sweden climbs to become the third largest music export nation.

1996

The copyright term for musical and literary works is extended from 50 to 70 years after the author's demise. As a result, some previously "free" authors are now protected again.

An international numbering system for musical works is put into operation. ISWC (International Standard Work Code) is used in around 100 corresponding organisations across the globe. ABBA's Dancing Queen is given work number 1 in the new system.

1995 Sweden joins the EU.
1994 The GATT trade agreement is signed. It also includes rules for copyright as a commodity, TRIPS.
1993

Sweden receives stricter competition legislation.

Sweden receives commercial radio.

1992

Gunnar Petri becomes the chairman of CISAC's executive body.

The Internet rapidly develops.

1991

STIM involved in EU cooperation.

TV4 launches commercial terrestrial TV.

1989 USA becomes a party of the Berne Convention.
1988 Gunnar Petri becomes STIM's new CEO.
1987 Sweden receives commercial TV with the launch of TV3.
1984 Radio and TV broadcasts begin via satellite and cable in Sweden.
1982 Håkan Gezelius becomes STIM's new CEO.
1979

Community radio begins trial broadcasting.

Internationally, a great deal of work is being done to prevent pirating in various ways, but it continues to pose increasingly greater problems. In 1980, an individual in Sweden is sentenced to prison for the first time for a Copyright Act offence. He had produced over 16,000 illegal records and was sentenced to 4 months of prison, as well as made to pay SEK
100,000 in damages.

1977 Start of local radio broadcasts from 24 stations in Sweden.
1973

STIM 50 years.

Hans Nordmark becomes STIM's new CEO.

1969 New TV channel: TV2
1968 STIM's returns exceed SEK 20 million. For the first time, returns include not only performance revenue, but mechanical revenue as well.
1964 STIM's returns exceed SEK 10 million.
1962 New music station: P3
1960 New Copyright Act. The copyright term is extended from 30 to 50 years (after the author's demise). Affiliated rights  (IFPI/SAMI) are introduced to the Copyright Act
1955 Regular TV broadcasts in Sweden. P2 radio is launched.
1948 STIM 25 years.
1946

The protection term is extended through "Lex Sjögren" - a music counterpart to literature's somewhat earlier "Lex Strindberg". The protection term for musical works is extended by five years to reach a total of 35 years after the author's demise, which is the same term as for literary works.

1945 Sven Wilson, formerly a journalist at Radiotjänst, becomes STIM's new CEO.
1944

In accordance with STIM's request, the Government appoints a chairman and two representatives. The first governmental chairman is Nils Löwbeer, who is the director-general of Patentverket ("Swedish Patent Office").

Amongst other things, a reorganisation of STIM results in the interests of popular music achieving firmer representation on the board. Since then, a balance between serious and popular interests has developed over the years.

1943 NCB - Nordisk Copyright Bureau - becomes the Nordic territories collection and distribution centre for mechanical remuneration.
1927 Ballroom dancing music becomes protected as well.
1925 Radiotjänst begins regular broadcasts.
1924 Kurt Atterberg succeeds Natanael Berg as chairman.
1923

STIM is founded with Natanael Berg as its first chairman. Conditions are modest in the beginning - STIM is housed in a room in Natanael Berg's home, and it has a very small purse at its disposal. No one is remunerated for their work in the beginning. Music copyright is also faced with a great deal of opposition, in particular from restaurants and cinemas.

Like STIM, "Rundgnisten" is founded in 1923. It is renamed Radiotjänst in 1925, and is currently known as Sveriges Radio. It has grown into one of STIM's most important joint contracting partners since then.

STIM's returns are SEK 15,000 the first year.

1919 Sweden receives its first real Copyright Act with a protection term of 30 years after the author's demise. Ballroom dancing music is an exception.
1904 Sweden becomes a party to the Berne Convention.
1886 The Berne Convention is founded. Foreign and domestic copyrights are to be treated the same.
1851 The first real musical authors´ rights organisation is founded in France.
1791 After the revolution, France receives the first copyright legislation (1791-1793).