French news publishers partner with SACEM to set up the first collective management society for neighbouring press rights

By Emmanuel Legrand

French rights society SACEM and the Union of Publishers of Magazines (SEMP), which regroups over 80 news publishing companies in France, have signed what they described as "a historic agreement" that will see SACEM provide expertise to create the first collective management organisation for the management of the new neighbouring press rights in France, which was introduced as part of the European Union's Copyright Directive. 

  France was the first EU Member State to have transposed, in July 2019, the provisions in the Directive creating this neighboring right, which mandates online platforms that use news content produced by French publishers to compensate them with remuneration. 

  The new rights collective is currently in the process of being set up and will be open to holders of neighbouring press rights who wish to opt for collective management of this right. SACEM's role will be to provide the future CMO with its expertise in internet rights management. 

An effective tool

  Alain Augé, President of SEPM, said the agreement will provide "an effective and credible tool to the entire French press and to all rights holders" to manage the remuneration from the neighbouring right. 

  SACEM Chief Executive Jean-Noël Tronc said his organisation was "proud" to be picked by SEMP to create the world's first collective management society for neighbouring press rights. "In the digital age, collective rights management is more than ever a model that ensures efficiency, fairness and transparency, while promoting fair remuneration," said Tronc.