21/12/2005

After over a year of tough negotiations, the French unions of film professionals BLIC, BLOC, ARP, and SACD, two broadcasters (Canal+ and France Télévisions), the AFA (internet access providers association), France Télécom and the ALPA (anti-piracy organisation) came to an agreement concerning the broadcasting of films on the internet, aka Video On demand (VOD). The final text, signed on Tuesday by the French Minister of Culture, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, solves a question which was one of the biggest bones of contention, the broadcasting chronology (read the article). The agreement established that films can be broadcast (rented or bought individually) on the internet 33 weeks after their theatrical release. However, only the films registered on the catalogue (films released at least 36 months ago) can be marketed by a film on demand service subject to subscription. This protects the interests of free TV channels which can only show a movie 36 months after its theatrical release unless they co-produced it, in which case they can play it after 24 months. It is worth underlining that TF1 was absent the day of the signature.

Besides that, internet service providers promised to get involved in developing film production, especially for European features shot in French. This agreement was welcomed by all the film professionals' organisations. The CSPF (Film Producers' Union) said it was 'an excellent legal device against piracy', while the ARP and the SACD underlined the fact that 'if regulated, the internet can eventually become a fantastic means of circulating films and promote diversity within Europe'. Now, it is the Parliament who will examine an amendment establishing a step-by-step retaliation system against illegal film piracy (read news): warning by email, followed by a recommended letter with receipt notification.

(Translated from French)