The year 2021, although still marked by a difficult health situation, experienced a sustained activity of the Conseil supérieur de la propriété littéraire et artistique (CSPLA).

First, Professor Tristan Azzi, assisted by Yves El Hage, presented a very useful report on still image metadata, at the July 5, 2021 plenary session. The objective of this mission was to enable better identification of online works via metadata, in order to better trace the ownership of works and the remuneration due to authors when their works are exploited on online platforms. This study was much awaited by the rights holders on these images, especially photographers. It concludes with several recommendations concerning in particular the evolution of contractual practices in the sector and the possible action of the new Authority for the regulation of audiovisual and digital communication (ARCOM). In this regard, I am pleased that, following my proposal, the President of this Authority is henceforth an ex officio member of the CSPLA.

Then, Professors Valérie-Laure Benabou and Joëlle Farchy, assisted by Steven Tallec, presented in plenary on December 15, 2021, a much anticipated report on devices for recommending audiovisual and musical works on online services (such as Dailymotion, YouTube, Deezer, Spotify, etc.). If this study does not, at this stage, reveal marked «filter bubbles», that is to say, the user is locked in too narrow choices, it underlines the lack of transparency in the algorithms used by these platforms and the risks to competition and cultural diversity, which call for regulation.

2022 will see the continuation of the CSPLA’s forward-looking, often pioneering, reflections on the impact of technological developments on copyright and more broadly on our creators and cultural industries. In particular, a report on “Non Fungible Tokens” (NFT), another on database protection and a third on voice assistants (such as “Siri” or “Google Assistant” are being prepared. One mission is also underway on the fight against fake artists in the digital age and another on musicians' incomes. A reflection on the metaverse is also planned. The CSPLA thus remains at the forefront of technological developments in order to anticipate the effects as much as possible.


Olivier Japiot

State Councillor, President of the CSPLA