Distribute audiovisual content securely and fairly
The communication to the public of audiovisual works is governed by the Berne Convention, the satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission European Directive 93/83/EEC (CABSAT 1), the online broadcasting & retransmission European Directive 2019/789/EU (CABSAT 2), and national copyright law.
In Belgium, the matter is governed by articles XI.220 – XI. 228/1 of the Code of Economic Law govern
Any operator that commercially uses a protected audiovisual work must obtain the rightsholder’s prior permission to do so.
As a Collective Management Organization, AGICOA Europe Brussels enforces this legal framework and acts as a neutral facilitator between rightsholders of audiovisual content and operators that distribute this content.
Your obligations as an operator
Operators must abide by the law regarding the use of audiovisual content: dealing with a rapidly changing landscape, obtaining distribution licenses, and implementing payment of secondary rights is not easy. AGICOA Europe Brussels provides an efficient, professional, and transparent conduit to help operators obtain the authorization to use the works of the independent audiovisual producers and be assured that they comply with their copyright obligation.
The fair and reliable process ensures a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship between all the parties.
The benefits of getting a license with AGICOA Europe Brussels
For operators, concluding license agreements with AGICOA Europe Brussels has two main advantages: operators obtain from AGICOA Europe Brussels the authorization to distribute audiovisual content on behalf of the largest global community of independent producers in one single license and AGICOA Europe Brussels guarantees that the operators are not held liable in any third-party producer claim.
AGICOA Europe Brussels' fees
AGICOA Europe Brussels tracks audiovisual works on a maximum of TV channels covered by the license concluded with the operators.
In Belgium, where a mandatory collective management regime applies, AGICOA Europe Brussels’ array of services cover all audiovisual works produced by an independent producer; this excludes audiovisual works produced by the broadcaster on its own signal, news programs, live transmission of sports and other events, infomercials, and commercials.
Pricing is based on the number of TV channels distributed by the operator, the nature of the TV channels, the type of packages offered by the operator, the number of subscribers, the pricing model of the operator, the language of broadcasting, and other criteria that ensure fairness and equal treatment.