Home / Business and Economy / French Rights Group Sues TikTok for Unauthorized Use of Members' Works
French Rights Group Sues TikTok for Unauthorized Use of Members' Works
14 Nov
Summary
- SACD, a French rights management body, files emergency injunction against TikTok
- SACD claims TikTok has used copyrighted works without authorization for years
- SACD seeks compensation and disclosure of TikTok's revenue
In a move to protect the rights of its members, the French Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers (SACD) has filed an emergency injunction against TikTok in the Paris Judicial Court. The rights and royalties management body, which represents some 58,000 cinema, TV, and theatre writers and composers, claims that TikTok has been using copyrighted works from its repertoire without authorization for the past four years.
SACD states that TikTok has failed to offer acceptable compensation to the authors of these works and has also failed to remove the content as requested. The body explains that as an online content-sharing service, TikTok is subject to the provisions of the French Intellectual Property Code and is in a position of copyright infringement in the absence of a contract with SACD.
The organization is now seeking compensation for the harm suffered by the authors of the works used or displayed on the platform, as well as disclosure of TikTok's revenue. SACD believes that copyright royalties must be determined based on appropriate and reliable financial data.
A hearing is set for March 2026, and SACD is hopeful that the legal action will result in a fair resolution for its members.
