SACEM renews call for French AI copyright bill

SACEM reiterated its support for the measure during the 2026 General Assembly of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers in Paris, where artificial intelligence and copyright protection featured prominently on the agenda.

Representatives from CISAC member societies expressed support for the legislation during the event, displaying signs that read: “Creators from all over the world support the Darcos Law.”

The proposed legislation, formally known as Bill No. 2634, was introduced by French senator Laure Darcos and was unanimously approved by the French Senate in April. However, the bill has yet to progress through the French National Assembly, where debate on the measure has reportedly stalled.

Under the proposal, AI developers would be presumed to have used copyrighted works to train their systems unless they can prove otherwise. The bill states: “Unless proven otherwise, in any civil dispute, the work or object protected by copyright or related rights, within the meaning of this code, is presumed to have been used by the supplier of the artificial intelligence.”

SACEM argues that the legislation would strengthen protections for creators whose works may be used in the development of generative AI systems without permission or compensation.

In a statement, the organisation said: “The large-scale use of our works to train AI systems, without authorization or compensation, constitutes the greatest plundering of creative and artistic works ever perpetrated.”

The organisation added: “And as if that were not enough, our works and the culture of our countries are being overwhelmed and diluted by synthetic content that directly competes with us.”

SACEM also suggested that the passage of the bill could influence broader policy discussions across Europe regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence and copyright.

“Such a vote would resonate far beyond France’s borders,” the organisation said. “There is an urgent need for action on behalf of creators around the world, who know that France, as it has so often done throughout the history of copyright, can once again lead the way and send a clear message: the development of AI must not come at the expense of culture.”

The debate forms part of a wider effort by creators' organisations and rights holders across Europe to establish clearer rules governing the use of copyrighted material in AI training datasets.

The outcome of the Darcos Bill remains uncertain, as it awaits consideration by the National Assembly. However, the proposal reflects growing scrutiny of AI developers in Europe, where legal disputes over copyright and AI training practices continue to emerge.

One closely watched case involves German collecting society GEMA and AI music company Suno, with a court ruling expected later this year.

The decision on the Darcos Bill is expected to be closely monitored by creators, rights holders and technology companies across Europe as policymakers continue to grapple with the legal implications of generative artificial intelligence.