France has implemented the Use for the purpose of caricature, parody or pastiche (Art. 5.3(k) InfoSoc) exception in Article L122-5, 4° of the Intellectual Property Code. The national exception closely resembles the EU exception.

Implementation summary:

This exception allows for the use of already disclosed works for parody, pastiche and caricature, by observing the rules of the genre.

Implementation details:

Beneficiaries:

• any user

Purposes:

• parody, pastiche and caricature

Usage:

• any use

Subject Matter:

• works
• performances
• phonograms
• film fixations
• broadcasts
• press publications

Compensation:

• no compensation required

Attribution:

• no attribution required

Other Conditions:

• the rules of the genre must be observed
• the work has to be already disclosed

Introduced/last updated: 01 July 1992

Remarks: The exception extends to all related rights under art. L. 211-3, 4° IPC.

Judicial interpretation corresponds to the conditions formulated by the CJEU in the Deckmyn case (Case C‑201/13). For a certain use to be qualified as a parody there should be no risk of confusion between the original and the derivative work (see Civ. 1ère, 22 mai 2019, 18-12718). Also, it needs to express humour, homage or criticism (TGI Paris, Chambre civile 3, 31 octobre 2007, 06/00430). According to case law preceding the CJEU Deckmyn case, the French court has also established a condition of absence of intention to cause harm (TGI Paris, 29 mai 2001, ONETEL).