Subsection 2: Mission to encourage the development of legal supply and to monitor the lawful and unlawful use of works and objects protected by copyright or neighbouring rights on electronic communications networks

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L331-17L331-18

Article L331-18

French Intellectual Property CodeIn force
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Updated 8 Nov 2023

I.-The Autorité de Régulation de la Communication Audiovisuelle et Numérique (Audiovisual and Digital Communications Regulatory Authority) shall assess the level of effectiveness of the measures taken by providers of online content-sharing services referred to in Article L. 137-1, with regard to their ability to ensure the protection of works and protected objects, including their deployment and operating conditions. It may make recommendations for their improvement and on the level of transparency required.


For the purposes of the assessment referred to in the first paragraph of this I, the authorised and sworn officials of the Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique may implement proportionate methods for the automated collection of publicly accessible data.


The Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique may make recommendations on the improvement of these methods and on the level of transparency required.


The Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique may make recommendations on the improvement of these methods. The Audiovisual and Digital Communications Regulatory Authority may request any relevant information from service providers, rightholders and designers of protection measures.


II. II - The Audiovisual and Digital Communications Regulatory Authority shall encourage cooperation between rightholders and providers of online content sharing services with a view to ensuring the availability on the service of content uploaded by users that does not infringe copyright or related rights. It may, after consultation with stakeholders, make recommendations to rightholders and service providers, in particular as regards the necessary and relevant notifications or information provided by rightholders.


III. III.- The Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique shall give an account of the mission provided for in this article in the report referred to in Article 18 of Law No. 86-1067 of 30 September 1986 on freedom of communication.

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Mariela Petrova

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Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

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Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

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