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Royalties
All about distribution

Sacem royalty distribution in four points:
1. Simplified registration procedure
2. Royalty collection
3. Royalty payments
4. Royalty payment schedule

Simplified registration procedure

Registering your works

By becoming a Sacem member, you agree to register your works as soon as they have been created.

You must register your works online or using a printed form to receive your royalties, otherwise Sacem will be unable to pay you royalties.

Registering a work

REGISTER YOUR SETLISTS AND EVENTS

You are a singer-songwriter, comedian, DJ…

Register online the setlist of the works you performed during your shows, sets, etc.;
Associate one or more dates with your setlist;
Benefit from a detailed restitution of your distribution data.

If your works are exploited abroad

When you are aware of the exploitation of your works abroad:

by broadcast on radio, TV, the Internet,
by reproduction on CD or DVD,
by public performances (concert, festival…).

Contact the International Affairs Department which, in turn, will contact foreign authors’ societies so you can receive your royalties.

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Royalty distribution

Sacem:

collects royalties from users
gathers usage data for the works performed, broadcast or reproduced,
distributes royalties to rights holders.

Royalty distribution relies mainly on usage data (communication to the public or reproduction of the works). Sample surveys are used only when usage data are insufficient.

THREE TYPES OF DISTRIBUTION

(1) Television, radio, concerts, performances, cinemas, CDs, DVDs, downloads, streaming
(2) Discotheques, private copying
(3) Background music.

Royalty allocation

For each work, the amount allocated to rights holders is determined according to different splits.

Performing rights

For radio, television, concerts, dances and all public performances of works, the split is statutory and does not vary:

For published Sacem works, 1/3 goes to the author, 1/3 to the composer and 1/3 to the publisher.
For unpublished works, all royalties go to the creators, split equally between the author and composer.

Broadcast mechanical rights

For works played on radio and television, in discotheques and as recorded background music in public places, the split is statutory and does not vary:

For published Sacem works, 25% of royalties go to the author, 25% to the composer and 50% to the publisher.
For unpublished works, all royalties go to the creators, split equally between the author and composer. This split also applies for private copying.

Mechanical reproduction rights (phonographs, videograms):

The split is contractual: it is based on an agreement reached between a work’s creators and the publisher, if applicable. The split is specified on the registration form.

Distribution schedule

Royalties are paid within 3 to 12 months after they have been collected, depending on the nature of the exploitation of your works.

You may receive royalty payments up to 4 times a year. Payments are accompanied by distribution statements detailing the royalties work by work, depending on the origin of the dissemination (radio, television, CD...) and the exploitation of your works.

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July 2024

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