The film company Crone Film recently won a court ruling that YouSee cannot show their films without a payment agreement. The artists support the film company, as does the international community organisation.

"The fact that a small production company chooses to take on a big player like YouSee deserves a lot of respect, because there is always a risk that jobs are at stake," says artist spokesperson Sara Indrio.

International support

There is also international support for the Danish fight for rights. The support comes from the worldwide organisation for artists' unions, FIA, where both the Danish Artists' Union and the Danish Actors' Union represent artists and actors.

"FIA strongly condemns this act, which is not only piracy but also a sign of disrespect for the rights payment model, which not only ensures fair remuneration for artists but also supports the entire TV and film production ecosystem," writes FIA

YouSee's neglect of artists' basic rights is in practice a frontal attack on the Danish model and challenges the fundamental principle of payment for the use of artistic productions.

There must and should be consequences, and this is where communities play an important role. Dansk Artist Forbund supports the producers' ban on YouSee's illegal use of their productions in the TV packages.

"No art without payment. That's how professional artists and musicians work - but apparently not YouSee." If the consequences for our industry weren't so serious, we would call the situation comical. YouSee should stop this embarrassing strategy and instead ensure fair payment to the content creators."

"YouSee should stop this embarrassing strategy and instead ensure fair payment to the content creators."
Sara Indrio, forperson for Dansk Artist Forbund

YouSee has been banned from showing Crone Films productions

For several months, Crone Film has been trying to stop YouSee's on-demand use of Crone Film's productions, as YouSee has no agreement with Crone Film. So far, YouSee has defied the demand, arguing that it was their right, precisely because there is no agreement. However, as an offshoot of the injunction case, YouSee has agreed to stop using Crone Film's content until the court makes a final decision in December 2024.

Crone Film has produced Danish films such as Buster's World, and the animated films Disco Ormene, Otto er et næsehorn and Orla Frøsnapper.

About FIA
FIA is a global federation of artists' unions from more than 60 countries.
The organisation works to strengthen the social, economic and moral rights of performers around the world.
Visit the FIA website here