Spain’s audiovisual sector: fair remuneration and economic growth

CISAC is a partner in the global “audiovisual campaign”, pressing for fair remuneration for audiovisual authors across the world. Screenwriters and directors are vital contributors in the creative chain, yet in most countries are not granted an unwaivable right of remuneration for their works.

 Working alongside the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) and Writers and Directors Worldwide, CISAC has published a case study on the legal environment for audiovisual creators in Spain. The study helps inform discussions on the implementation of the key Article 18 of the European Copyright Directive, which is a unique opportunity to bring fair remuneration for AV creators in Europe, as explained by SAA here.

Spain is considered to have one of the most protective legal regimes in the world for the rights of audiovisual creators. Audiovisual works such as films, TV series, documentaries etc., are protected by long-established unwaivable remuneration rights for audiovisual authors for many types of exploitation. These are recognised in the Spanish Copyright Law (Royal Legislative Decree 1/1996 of April 12, 1996 Revised Law on Intellectual Property, hereafter “TRLPI”). 

These statutory rights have proven to be effective in ensuring fair remuneration for audiovisual creators. Royalties are collected and distributed by Spanish authors’ societies (SGAE and DAMA). The legal regime has helped achieved a fairness for generations of audiovisual creators in Spain, while at the same time helping support consistent long term revenue growth across the audiovisual and cinematographic industry in Spain. 

 This paper provides a case study of the legislative framework in Spain and highlights key industry data showing the growth of the audiovisual sector over recent years. It illustrates that the successful evolution of Spain’s audiovisual sector has been built on – and been supported by - the foundation of a strong and longstanding legal regime based on unwaivable remuneration rights for audiovisual authors.

Download the case study here.