Cinematographers from 22 European countries, united in IMAGO, the European Federation of the National Associations of Cinematographers, have assembled from November 27th to December 4th, 1999 in Torun, Poland, and have discussed their legal status within the framework of national European copyright.

They express their wish to be recognized as co-author of films and other audio-visual works to which they contribute.

They state that typically films as works of art depend upon the creative effort of the author of the images.

They therefore appeal to national and European legislative and administrative bodies to include cinematographers among the authors of films and other audio-visual works.

Consequently, they claim recognition of their moral rights as authors and their share in the income from the exploitation, increasingly relevant in the digital age, of works which include their creative contributions.

They ask for public support of bodies of collective administration where they exist and encourage the establishment of such bodies where they do not yet exist.

They finally state that they are united in solidarity with other co-authors of their works in their mutual claims for recognition and their rightful claims based on copyright.

Torun, December 4th, 1999