About SDRM

In France, copyright and authors’ rights are covered by law under the provisions in the Intellectual Property Code ("CPI").

When you copy works onto any recording format (e.g. CD or audio or video cassette), you are dealing with reproduction rights which authors hold for their works. Article L. 122-3 of the Intellectual Property Code defines reproduction as the physical recording of a work by any and all processes that can be used to convey the work to the public indirectly.

Under the terms of Article L.122-4 of the Intellectual Property Code, authors hold the exclusive right to authorize or prohibit any reproduction of their works: “Any performance or reproduction, either complete or partial, made without the consent of the author or of his/her rights holders shall be unlawful”.

In compliance with this article, you must receive prior authorization from the author or his/her rights holders to license the reproduction of the works protected by copyright.

Most original works of authorship are administered by collecting societies, e.g. SACD, SACEM or SCAM, their assignment being to issue licenses authorizing the performance and reproduction of these works. These societies of authors have joined together as members of SDRM specifically for the administration of mechanical reproduction rights.

Any infringement of copyright, i.e. of authors’ rights, is dealt with under the terms of articles L. 335-2 and L. 335-3 of the Intellectual Property Code and can incur a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine of up to €150 000 for private individuals or €750 000 for corporate entities.

By contacting SDRM, you will fulfill your obligations to the authors, composers and publishers whose works you wish to reproduce, these being covered by SDRM.