Covid-19 : Sacem is mobilized to ensure the continuity of its operations in the service of its members, and urges public authorities to support music authors, composers and publishers, who form an essentiel but fragile link in the creative economy

Sacem is completely mobilized to face the Covid-19 health crisis and its dramatic impact on economic life in the country.

Following the government’s adoption of emergency measures to contain the spread of the  Covid-19 virus, and faced with the dramatic consequences for authors, composers and publishers of music, Sacem is doing everything possible to ensure that its services remain operational and is taking concrete action to provide the best possible support to its members while acknowledging the difficulties of its partners.

SACEM COMPLETELY MOBILIZED FOR ITS MEMBERS

The authors, composers and publishers of music, as well as writer-directors, dubbing and subtitling artists, whose income depends on the distribution of their works, already have been and will continue to be severely and durably affected by this crisis.

In conjunction with the professional organizations for authors, composers and publishers of music (Ataa, Cemf, Csdem, Eifeil, Gam, Snac, Ucmf, Ulm, Unac, Upad) Sacem has carried out a survey of the problems encountered by its members to facilitate the  public authorities’ efforts  to identify and support their difficulties and the critical risk for creators in our country that the current crisis entails.  

Sacem activated its business continuity plan in the context of the crisis as soon as the first business restrictions were imposed during the week of March 9.

Sacem’s teams are fully mobilized to ensure the continuity of our activities and in particular to guarantee the proper distribution of royalties and of funds linked to the society’s mutual aid plan on the next scheduled payment date, April 6, 2020.

More than ever, Sacem is doing its utmost to support its members:

• Despite the closure of the physical reception at our offices, in accordance with the latest health measures, our teams have been working from home to keep telephone and e-mail assistance to our members fully operational.
• Members can continue to carry out routine procedures, in particular the online registration of their works – securely and paperlessly – to ensure the protection and identification of their works in their various uses.
• Sacem’s Internet portal will be updated regularly with information on the social and fiscal measures that could benefit music authors, composers and publishers.
• The social and cultural support systems for members will be maintained, and are being adapted to address the urgent problems encountered by many music authors, composers and editors, whose business was immediately hit by the collapse of cultural activity in our country.

In addition, Sacem is working in conjunction with Agessa and Ircec to ensure that all measures, especially social support, can be mobilized to support authors and composers of music.

It is essential that the public authorities realize that the impact of this crisis on our members is two-fold:

• Immediate, with the cessation of activities of every kind, (writing workshops, residencies, commissioning bonuses, film and television shoots, dubbing and subtitling sessions, advertising, recording sessions, …) which makes it impossible for these professionals to work.
• Long-term, since the current collapse of economic activity will have far-reaching consequences in terms of reduced royalties over the next months and into 2021, even after economic activity picks up again. Indeed, unlike other forms of remuneration in the arts, royalties are only paid after the use and dissemination of works.

The current situation will result in a significant, if not total, loss of income for many authors and composers of music. An essential component of cultural creativity and diversity in our country, authors and composers – who are not salaried and do not benefit from the regime for intermittent entertainment workers – are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Sacem calls on the public authorities to provide compensation for this catastrophic loss of business activity, both to help entertainment companies with the payment of royalties and by introducing appropriate and urgent support measures.

The recognition of these difficulties, and financial support – for music authors, composers and publishers, as well as writer-directors and dubbing and subtitling authors  – in the framework of the government’s national economic support plan, are a priority.

Sacem has been in talks with the Culture Ministry about this for several days, as well as with the National Center for Music.

… AND FOR ITS PARTNERS

In order to keep companies and organizations running, to maintain artists’ contracts, commissions for author-composers, and royalty payments, we call on the Culture Ministry and local authorities to pay in full any subsidies for projects that were postponed or canceled. Now more than ever, we must stand together so that every actor in music and in culture can survive this unprecedented crisis.

Sacem is particularly concerned over the financial situation of all the places that play music to the public (bars, cafés, restaurants, clubs, shops …), event organizers, concert halls, festivals … The business and incomes of these professionals are heavily impacted by the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The trusted partner of all economic stakeholders who, by playing music allow authors, composers and publishers to live, Sacem is putting in place specific measures to help and support them as best we can during these trying times:

Aid allocated for canceled shows will be maintained to the extent possible.

Special measures will also be put into place in an effort to overcome the difficulties faced by music users. These measures – for an initial period until April 30, 2020 and renewed as often as necessary – may be broad in scope or subject to detailed study depending on the situation.

• National and general measures relating to royalty notifications: suspension of all invoicing, suspension of direct-debit billing.
• For permanent establishments that broadcast ambient or background music (cafés, restaurants, hair salons, shops …) but also establishments with musical entertainment and the possibility of dancing (discothèques, music bars …) contracts are suspended for the length of the closure imposed by the public authorities.
• Any specific difficulty may give rise to a spreading out of payments depending on the level of activity of the establishments or enterprises. Applications along these lines must by justified and addressed to Sacem through the associative federations or professional bodies in your sector, whether the enterprise is a member of one of them or not.

Throughout France, teams in Sacem’s regional and cultural action networks are on the front lines alongside their members, their clients, and project leaders to put appropriate measures in place.

Bruno Lion, Chairman of the Sacem Board of Directors:

“Covid-19 has struck a hard blow to writers, composers and publishers of music… Already in a fragile and often precarious situation, these professionals face a reduction, or even a total interruption of their work. Committed and at their side since its creation, Sacem continues to strengthen its actions to help them face this major ordeal. We must never forget that authors and composers, who are the first link in the chain of creativity, are also the most fragile, as they have neither salary nor unemployment benefits.”

Jean-Noël Tronc, Chief Executive Officer of Sacem:

“Against the crisis we are facing, Sacem has mobilized to ensure maximum continuity of its operations, and in particular to be able to secure for our members the distribution of their royalties and to remain available by telephone and email, in spite of the closure of our offices. We are doing our utmost to guarantee the continuity of our support to cultural actors and have initiated, in conjunction with professional organizations, a survey of the many problems music authors, composers and publishers are confronting. We call on the public authorities to fully integrate these fragile professions, which are at the heart of creativity, in the future economic support plan.”