SACEM — SACEM

SACEM (SACEM) is a collecting society in france. Businesses playing music publicly must hold a licence from SACEM. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with SACEM — venues using Track Studios are not invoiced.

Overview

SACEM is France's collecting society, unique in Europe in that it manages both composition rights and (via an agreement with SCPP/SPPF) sound recording rights through a single licence for most commercial uses. This simplifies the licensing process compared to countries requiring separate licences.

Founded: 1851
Type: Both composition and recording rights
Country: France
Website: https://www.sacem.fr

How SACEM Fees Are Calculated

SACEM uses tariff codes to calculate fees by venue type. Examples: Restaurant (Background Music (Sonorisation)): approximately EUR 240–380/year; Retail Store (Background Music (Commerce)): approximately EUR 220–360/year; Gym (Background Music (Fitness)): approximately EUR 380–600/year. Fees are typically calculated on the basis of seats.

Venue Type	Tariff Code	Basis	Typical Annual Cost
Restaurant	`Background Music (Sonorisation)`	seats	EUR 240–380/year
Retail Store	`Background Music (Commerce)`	area	EUR 220–360/year
Gym	`Background Music (Fitness)`	seats	EUR 380–600/year

Apply for SACEM licence

How to Avoid SACEM Fees

Businesses can avoid SACEM fees by using music that is not registered with SACEM. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with SACEM — venues using the included catalog are not invoiced.

Start free trial — no SACEM invoices

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SACEM (SACEM)?: SACEM (SACEM) is a collecting society based in france. Founded in 1851, it collects fees from businesses that play sound recordings publicly and distributes them to rights holders.
Does my business need an SACEM licence?: If your business plays commercially released music in a public-facing space — restaurant, shop, gym, hotel lobby, etc. — you are legally required to hold an SACEM licence. Using Track Studios' included AI catalog exempts you from SACEM licensing for that music.
How does SACEM calculate its fees?: SACEM calculates fees based on factors including venue size, number of seats, or annual turnover depending on the venue type. Contact SACEM directly for a quote.
Can I avoid SACEM fees legally?: Businesses can avoid SACEM fees by using music that is not registered with SACEM. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with SACEM — venues using the included catalog are not invoiced.
What happens if my business plays music without an SACEM licence?: SACEM can issue a civil claim for back-fees covering the period of unlicensed use, plus additional damages. SACEM actively enforces its rights and is known for proactive inspection of commercial venues throughout France.