Sacem, a society dear to its members

172 years ago, in 1851, Sacem was born of the common will of its four founders. Ernest Bourget (author), Paul Henrion (composer) and Victor Parisot (composer) had an incident involving the use of their works. One day in 1847, a dispute broke out with the owner of the café-concert Les Ambassadeurs in Paris. He was playing their works without paying anything. So the three creators refused to pay for their drinks. The dispute went all the way to trial, at which Jules Colombier, the fourth founder, defended them. After winning and obtaining justice, they decided to create one of the world’s first civil collective management societies, and above all, an essential refuge for art and creation.

As long as 172 years ago, by protecting the works, rights and interests of artists, Sacem was already at the forefront of the technological revolutions that were transforming the world. The phonograph, radio, cinema and then television all placed artistic works at the heart of modern life.

172 years later, as a new technological revolution unfolds before our eyes, Sacem is once again leading the way into the new digital territory. Aware of today’s challenges, Sacem is going one step further by committing itself to diverse and sustainable creation, and by taking cultural action in France and around the world.