Organising an event, such as a wedding or a corporate party, often involves creating a memorable atmosphere with carefully selected background music. Music, whether classical or contemporary, plays a key role in the success of these moments.
However, playing music in public raises important questions relating to copyright management. It is essential to understand how rights are distributed and to make sure that the rights holders, whether composers, performers or music publishers, receive fair remuneration for their work.
But what does the SACEM say about private events such as a wedding or a birthday? Is it up to you or to your DJ to deal with it?
What is the role of the SACEM?
The Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique (SACEM) plays a central role in managing music rights in France. It ensures a fair distribution of royalties among all rights holders, thereby guaranteeing that every composer, performer and music publisher is fairly paid for the use of their work.
This makes it possible to play music entirely legally, while supporting the music ecosystem as a whole. Without it, artists could not continue their work and the French music scene would be very poor indeed.
In which cases do you have to pay the SACEM?
The SACEM also states that a payment is due for a private party if you pay a supplier for the music: band, disc jockey…
However, the SACEM tolerates this case and does not apply the rule.
Indeed, you do not have to pay SACEM fees for your wedding party. Unless you decide to charge an entrance fee, or it is open to the public… Article L 122-5-1 of the French Intellectual Property Code stipulates that the author cannot prohibit music being played in a setting that is "private and free of charge, carried out exclusively within a family circle".
Are you in the Paris region? We will be happy to point you in the right direction:
Beware of abuses by some suppliers!
Some unscrupulous DJs do not hesitate to add a line to their quote: "Payment of Sacem fees", which they then pocket in their own name. This is both abusive and illegal, as this amount will not be redistributed to the artists as you might believe!
Also, it has sometimes been noted that certain wedding venues hired exclusively by the couple demand payment of a "Sacem flat fee". This is also a scam.
Indeed, when you hire a venue exclusively for a wedding, it is within a family and friends setting. You are as if at home. Some venues which, for example, have a restaurant area playing music all year round pay an annual flat fee to the Sacem.
They try to make you pay a share calculated "pro rata temporis" for the time you have exclusive use of a room. They claim that "the music may be heard in the common areas". Here again, this is totally abusive: it is nothing more than a pretext to charge you a supplement by invoking little-known and unverified legislation...
Some couples-to-be, after getting into a "conflict" with the management of their estate, have unfortunately ended up paying "for a quiet life"…Stand up for yourselves!
In any case, it is not up to the DJ supplier to declare and pay the Sacem: this responsibility lies with the organiser of the event or party.
To conclude, if you have the slightest doubt, the best thing is to check for yourself with the organisation, via this link: https://clients.sacem.fr/autorisations
Rest assured, Jour Précieux, your premium DJ, is at your disposal. It will help you and give you the arguments that apply to your party or event.
