Sacem

SACEM, or Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique, is a French collective management organization that administers copyright on music works. It represents authors, composers, and publishers, and licenses the use of musical works, collecting royalties on their behalf.

The organization issues licenses to users such as live venues, broadcasters, streaming platforms, and online services. It collects fees from these users and, after applying its tariff rules and usage data, distributes royalties to its members. SACEM covers rights associated with public performances, radio and television broadcasts, online streaming and downloading, and physical and digital reproductions.

SACEM operates as a non-profit, member-driven association. It is governed by a board of directors elected by its members and led by a president and a director-general. Membership is open to authors, composers, and publishers who contribute works and rights to the repertoire.

Internationally, SACEM participates in networks that coordinate cross-border licensing and royalty collection, notably as a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). It collaborates with counterpart societies to license foreign works in France and French works abroad.

Founded in 1851, SACEM has grown into a central institution in the French music ecosystem, managing rights for a broad repertoire and distributing revenues to creators and publishers. It aims to support creative work while ensuring proper compensation for rights holders.