B&B owners in France receive music royalties bill for premises

Gîtes de France body demands clearer guidelines on who is liable and how it will be enforced

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Fee of at least €200 may be due for chambres d’hôtes, gîtes, and furnished holiday rentals that play music on the premises
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If you own a gîte or a bed and breakfast, you might be receiving a letter claiming you owe money for music royalties – droits d’auteur.

Fee due for chambres d’hôtes, gîtes, and furnished holiday rentals

Owners of seasonal holiday rentals have been contacted demanding an annual payment of at least €200 for music played on the premises.

The Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique (Sacem) has issued similar letters in previous years.

Hotels must pay royalties to play music on their premises but they are not alone.

According to the Sacem’s website, the fee also applies to “chambres d’hôtes, gîtes, and furnished holiday rentals”.

It covers music played in bedrooms and communal areas.

‘Gîtes de France’ body wants clarification

The Connexion understands Sacem sent letters to businesses it believed provide TVs or radios.

A 20% discount is given if devices are declared in advance.

There is confusion, however, over whether the fee is in fact enforceable.

Gîtes de France managing director Solange Escure said only a few owners had so far received the letter.

She said: “We have asked Sacem for an explanation because there are different interpretations [on the obligation to pay royalties].”

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