I have received a letter from SACEM who are saying that if we play music, or have the TV available to our guests that we have to pay a fee. Can anyone please advise whether this is correct?
Many thanks in anticipation.
I did a search on SACEM and it does exist and it is (at an initial glance) about music etc and protecting musicians rights etc. I did a search within the site on Chambres d'hôtes and the were about 15 results but I don't have the time to read them all at the moment. You could check the name and address on the website and compare it against the letter you have received. It may be legit because if you think about it in letting your guests watch telly you are in fact, technically, entertaining them. Bit like putting on a DVD for them, you are then giving a 'public screening' which is breaking the terms of the agreement you had with the film company when you bought the DVD and play it. It is the sort of thing you never really think about and I am sure we have all put on the news, a footbal match or a 'soap' for a guest at some time or another.
So, it's probably correct but worth checking out.
Cathy
La diffusion de musique et/ou d’images dans les lieux ouverts au public nécessite l’autorisation préalable de la SACEM et le paiement des redevances d’auteur.De plus, tout diffuseur devra acquitter la rémunération due aux artistes-interprètes et producteur de phonogramme dite «Droits Voisins» auprès de la SPRE.La redevance audiovisuelle s’applique par téléviseur ; son montant est évalué en fonction du nombre de postes et du lieu d’installation des appareils.
Bars, restaurants and brasseries have to pay or they cannot even play a radio, the tax is based on the number of seats/tables for customers including those outside and is quite hefty. It costs even more if they have a TV.
How much are they trying to extort from you?
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