CISAC and Creators from Around the World Received by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls

Reception Marks 90th Anniversary of CISAC, an International Organisation Dedicated to the Protection of Authors’ Rights

A delegation from CISAC – the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers – was received by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls at the Hôtel de Matignon, in honour of the organisation’s 90th anniversary. CISAC protects the rights of over 4 million authors through its member organisations in 120 countries.

The delegation was led by composer and electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre, CISAC President, and included over 100 invitees from all over the world as well as renowned creators: film directors Jacques Fansten, Bertrand Tavernier, Euzhan Palcy and Jia Zhang-ke; visual artists Florence Chevallier, Hervé Di Rosa, Mounir Fatmi, Christian Guemy (alias C215), Christian Jaccard, Miss-Tic, Hervé Télémaque and Jacques Villeglé; composers and songwriters Axel Bauer, Brigitte, Jacob Desvarieux (Kassav), Djur Djura, Elodie Fregé, Arthur H, Maxime Le Forestier, Armando Manzanero, Laurent Petitgirard, Olivia Ruiz, Eric Serra, and Paul Williams.

The reception by Valls demonstrates the longevity of the attention given at the highest levels of the French government to culture, creators and the collective management of their rights. The rights of creators are currently the subject of intense debates in Europe and throughout the world, especially in the context of the digital market.

The fight for authors’ rights is vital to protect creation. The [French] government acts on numerous levels: the battle against piracy, fair remuneration of authors and artists for the digital use of their works, and supporting the means of financing creation. France, an early pioneer for authors’ rights, will stay at the forefront of its modernisation.

Authors’ rights are at the heart of culture and cultural diversity, which today are vital in enabling people to respect one another’s differences and to live together. They are also a key driver of the creative economy, generating employment and revenue, which allows an entire class of, often young, people to live off of their talent. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is all the more necessary to ensure that creators receive fair remuneration for the use of their artistic works, particularly in digital markets. We call on governments and decision makers to support pro-creator legislation in France, in Europe and throughout the world.

Jean-Michel Jarre stressed the importance of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which has been ratified by 138 countries. Jarre suggested that this text, which signatory States will discuss again in the coming months, be expanded to take into account the huge digital challenges that had not yet surfaced when the Convention was negotiated at the end of the 1990s. Rebalancing the Transfer of Value, as well as promoting private copying remuneration and the visual artists’ resale right, are essential global solutions to foster a fair remuneration for creators. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls highlighted the importance of the issues at stake in this renegotiation and indicated that France would take any necessary measures.

About CISAC

CISAC – the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers – is the world’s leading network of authors’ societies.

With 230 member societies in 120 countries, CISAC represents four million creators from all geographic areas and artistic repertoires; music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts. CISAC is presided over by electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and the organisation’s four vice-presidents are: Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, Senegalese sculptor Ousmane Sow, Indian poet, scriptwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar and Argentinean film director Marcelo Piñeyro.

CISAC protects the rights and promotes the interests of creators worldwide. Founded in 1926, it is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in France and regional offices in Africa (Burkina Faso), Latin America (Chile), Asia-Pacific (China) and Europe (Hungary).

www.cisac.org | Twitter: @CISACNews | Facebook: CISACWorldwide.

Media Contacts

Cécile ROY – Director of Communications - cecile.roy@cisac.org

Isabelle REPITON – Media Relations – Isabelle.repiton@cisac.org

About PRS for Music

PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com