The Société civile des éditeurs de langue française (SCELF) has decided to reverse its decision, taken in 2017, to collect performance fees on works published by its members, in cases where these works are read by their authors-even, or when read at free events in libraries.
Françoise Nyssen, Minister of Culture, welcomes this position and the progress of discussions between representatives of publishers, authors and librarians on the issue of remuneration for public readings of literary works.
On January 12, 2018, on the occasion of the press conference to launch the Nuit de la lecture, which will see the organization of more than 4,000 reading events in libraries and bookstores on January 20, 2018, the Minister of Culture had firmly reiterated her commitment to the principle of free public reading in libraries, an essential element for the promotion of reading, especially among children.
The constructive position proposed by the SCELF, in agreement with representatives of publishers, authors and librarians, is based on three principles:
- Reaffirmation by all stakeholders that public readings are part of the legal framework of copyright;
- Free, 5-year, renewable licence for libraries to conduct public reading activities that are not subject to fee;
- Absence of collection of rights in case of reading of his works by the author himself, except exceptional cases that remain to be defined.
The Minister of Culture invites stakeholders to formalize their agreements on these principles in the coming days.