An agreement has been reached between SACEM (Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs and Editeurs de Musique) and the Canal+ Group over the payment of copyright across the group’s channels and services.
Under the agreement, Canal will pay SACEM the full amount due under its existing agreement, with SACEM abandoning its legal action against the pay-TV operator. It had suspended payments in a bid to renegotiate its agreements and save some €300 million by 2018.
SACEM and Canal have now entered into a new agreement with a minimum duration of two years with effect from 1 January 2018.
SACEM’s managing director Jean-Noël Tronc said: “SACEM has defended the interests of its members without compromise, in order to guarantee the fairest level of remuneration for all. Once again, it has demonstrated the importance of the collective management model in defending the rights of creators. We hope that the strategic repositioning of the Canal+ Group will enable it to return to success and benefit the entire creative ecosystem.
Jean-Christophe Thiery, Chairman of the Canal+ Group Management Board added: “The Canal+ Group is delighted with this new partnership with SACEM for the next few years, which takes into account the new offers offered to our subscribers and in particular the place of sports on its airwaves and in its packages. With this agreement, the Canal+ Group reaffirms its commitment to the financing of creation in France and the support of authors”.
Previously SACEM had said it would continue paying its members for their work through until September allowing for an agreement to be reached,