SACEM
Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique
France's author society, founded 1851; the world's oldest.
About SACEM
SACEM is France's collective management organization for songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Founded in 1851, it is one of the oldest collection societies in the world and serves as a model for rights management organizations globally.
SACEM represents over 200,000 members and manages rights for both performance and mechanical reproduction. France is the world's sixth-largest music market, and SACEM collected over €1.2 billion in 2023.
SACEM's influence extends beyond France — it has been instrumental in shaping European copyright policy and has reciprocal agreements with collection societies worldwide. It also manages rights in many French-speaking territories globally.
How SACEM works
Comprehensive French Licensing
SACEM licenses all public performances and mechanical reproductions of music in France and French overseas territories.
Private Copy Levy
France has a unique "private copy levy" on blank media and devices. SACEM collects and distributes a portion of this levy to songwriters — a revenue source not available in many other countries.
Monitoring & Distribution
SACEM tracks usage through broadcaster data, digital platform reports, and venue licensing to calculate and distribute royalties quarterly.
Cultural Investment
SACEM reinvests a portion of collections into cultural programs, supporting live music, music education, and emerging artists in France.
Why SACEM matters for songwriters
France is served by SACEM for performance & mechanical royalties. Without direct registration, international songwriters rely on reciprocal agreements — which typically add 12–24 months of delay before royalties reach you.
Frequently asked questions about SACEM
What is the French private copy levy?
France charges a levy on blank media (USB drives, hard drives, phones) to compensate for private copying. SACEM distributes a portion to songwriters. This is a uniquely European revenue stream not available in the US.
Does SACEM cover French-speaking Africa?
SACEM has relationships with societies in many Francophone African countries. Your publishing administrator helps ensure collection in these territories.
Collect your France royalties automatically.
JukeHouse registers your songs directly with SACEM and 60+ other collection societies worldwide.