SacemMag 17
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This use applies to feature films, shorts or art-house movies for public screening in movie theaters or at festivals.

Depending on the type of music, i.e. existing or original music, the procedures are as follows: Original Music known as “Commissions”

These are musical compositions with or without lyrics written specifically for the film or video (CPI-Article L.113-7).

Payment is made for the commission and the agreement between the producer and composer (and author for a work with lyrics) formally reserves reproduction and public performance rights for the original work which the composer (and if applicable, the author), when a member of the society, has Sacem administer.

The producer has no specific formalities to carry out with SACEM-SDRM, unless reproducing copies in a video recording format. The composer (and author, if applicable) must register the work at SACEM.
For more informations contact SACEM-SDRM - tel: 01 47 15 87 86 - 01 47 15 87 83.

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Existing Music

These are works of music already published.

There are two types:
 

  • Sound library music published specifically for use on film soundtracks
  • Music referred to as “General Repertoire”
     

Sound Library Music
Some thirty companies offer recordings specially edited and released for use on soundtracks of films and videos, and containing a wide range of orchestrations and beats.

 List of Library Music Record Producers

The formalities are simple and quick, sending in a licence application form available from the Sacem-SDRM video and film licence office.

Reproduction Rights: Rates as of January 1, 2005

Fee (excluding VAT) per 30 seconds of music
Feature films, shorts and art-house movies : €14.31
Amateur films : €8.39


These rates apply to France (with a 50% surcharge for one additional territory or 100% for two additional territories or worldwide coverage).

The rates given above do not include VAT or compulsory social security charges. The following percentages should be added:

  • VAT, currently 5.5%
  • Social Security charges for authors (payment transferred to the fund, i.e. AGESSA), currently 1%.

Music from the general repertoire (pre-existing music other than "illustration music"

  • if it is taken from a commercial recording:

- it is necessary to obtain prior authorisation from the record producer whose recordings are to be used. To do so, contact the record company having produced the recording or the following organisations: SCPP or SPPF
- it is also necessary to consult beforehand the rights holders concerned for moral rights, most often through the publishers representing them (publishers’ names and addresses can be obtained from Accueil sociétaire - Tel: +33 (0)1 47 15 47 15).

If the publisher has not retained the possibility of agreeing to grant a licence or not, the reproduction of a musical work in films intended to be screened in cinema theatres or if the work has never been shown, the producer may obtain a reproduction licence from the SACEM-SDRM Bureau des Autorisations Vidéographiques et Cinéma - Tel: +33 (0)1 47 15 87 86 - +33 (0)1 47 15 87 83.
 

  • if it is an existing work performed for the needs of a film by an actor or performer:

• the procedures are the same as those specified for point a) above, except that you do not need to obtain a licence from record producers.

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