The French trade group representing authors and screenwriters, the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers (SACD), has filed a lawsuit against Chinese social‑media platform TikTok for alleged copyright infringements. Representing roughly 60,000 writers across film, television, theatre and other media, the SACD claims TikTok has used protected works from its repertoire without offering acceptable compensation to the authors.
According to the SACD, TikTok has been posting dialogue and extracts from well‑known French films such as *Asterix and Obelix* and *Brice de Nice*, as well as material from animated series and comedy sketches, without permission. After four years of negotiations, the group says TikTok has neither provided adequate remuneration nor removed the infringing content. The SACD is seeking redress for the losses suffered by the authors and is demanding that TikTok disclose its financial figures so the amount owed to copyright holders can be determined.
The lawsuit comes amid mounting regulatory pressure on TikTok in Europe. In May, the platform was fined €530 million by the EU for unlawfully transferring Europeans’ personal data to China. Owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, TikTok’s European headquarters are in Ireland. The case underscores the broader challenges social‑media platforms face in complying with copyright laws and regulations.
A first hearing is scheduled for March 18, and TikTok has not yet commented. The development is significant given the increasing scrutiny of TikTok’s operations in both Europe and the United States, where the platform has also faced criticism over data‑handling practices and regulatory actions. As the case proceeds, its outcome could have important implications for social‑media platforms and content creators, highlighting the urgent need for clear guidelines and regulations on copyright infringement in the age of online content sharing.
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