Coditel SA, Compagnie generale pour la diffusion de la television, and others v Cine-Vog Films SA and others. [1982] EUECJ R-262/81 (6 October 1982)

Coditel SA, Compagnie generale pour la diffusion de la television, and others v Cine-Vog Films SA and others. [1982] EUECJ R-262/81 (6 October 1982)

A contract granting exclusive exhibition rights to a film for a specific period in a Member State is not, as such, prohibited by Article 85 EEC. However, national courts must determine whether the manner of exercising such rights creates artificial or unjustifiable barriers, excessive fees, disproportionate exclusivity, or otherwise restricts or distorts competition, considering the specific characteristics of the cinematographic market.

Citation
[1982] EUECJ R-262/81
Parties
Appellant in Cassation: Coditel SA, Compagnie générale pour la diffusion de la télévision; Appellant in Cassation: Coditel Brabant SA; Appellant in Cassation: Coditel Liège SA, Compagnie liégeoise pour la diffusion de la télévision; Appellant in Cassation: Intermixt; Appellant in Cassation: Union Professionnelle de Radio et de Teledistribution; Appellant in Cassation: Inter-Régies; Respondent in Cassation: Ciné-Vog Films SA; Respondent in Cassation: Chambre Syndicale Belge de la Cinématographie; Respondent in Cassation: Les Films La Boetie SA; Respondent in Cassation: Serge Pinon, syndic of the court-supervised receivership of Les Films La Boetie SA; Respondent in Cassation: Chambre Syndicale des Producteurs et Exportateurs de Films Français
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
06 October 1982
Procedural Posture
Reference for Preliminary Ruling / Preliminary Ruling Before Court of Justice of the European Communities
Outcome
Preliminary ruling issued; contract not prohibited as such under Article 85 EEC, but subject to national court assessment of its exercise.
Legal Topics
Copyright, Exclusive Distribution Rights, Free Movement of Services, Competition Law (article 85 Eec), Interpretation of Article 36 EEC, Film Distribution, Market Partitioning
European Union Law Intellectual Property Law Competition Law Copyright Exclusive Distribution Rights Free Movement of Services Competition Law (article 85 Eec) Interpretation of Article 36 EEC +2 more

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Parties

Coditel SA, Compagnie générale pour la diffusion de la télévision

Appellant in Cassation

Coditel Brabant SA

Appellant in Cassation

Coditel Liège SA, Compagnie liégeoise pour la diffusion de la télévision

Appellant in Cassation

Intermixt

Appellant in Cassation

Union Professionnelle de Radio et de Teledistribution

Appellant in Cassation

Inter-Régies

Appellant in Cassation

Ciné-Vog Films SA

Respondent in Cassation

Chambre Syndicale Belge de la Cinématographie

Respondent in Cassation

Les Films La Boetie SA

Respondent in Cassation

Serge Pinon, syndic of the court-supervised receivership of Les Films La Boetie SA

Respondent in Cassation

Chambre Syndicale des Producteurs et Exportateurs de Films Français

Respondent in Cassation

Procedural Posture

Reference for Preliminary Ruling / Preliminary Ruling Before Court of Justice of the European Communities

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a contract granting exclusive exhibition rights to a film in a Member State is prohibited by Article 85 EEC
  2. 2 Whether Article 36 EEC or the nature of copyright excludes such contracts from Article 85 EEC

Ratio Decidendi

A contract granting exclusive exhibition rights to a film for a specific period in a Member State is not, as such, prohibited by Article 85 EEC. However, national courts must determine whether the manner of exercising such rights creates artificial or unjustifiable barriers, excessive fees, disproportionate exclusivity, or otherwise restricts or distorts competition, considering the specific characteristics of the cinematographic market.

Court Disposition

Preliminary ruling issued; contract not prohibited as such under Article 85 EEC, but subject to national court assessment of its exercise.

Orders

  • A contract granting exclusive exhibition rights to a film for a specific period in a Member State is not, as such, subject to Article 85 EEC prohibitions.
  • National courts must assess whether the exercise of such rights restricts or distorts competition, considering the specific characteristics of the market.