French documentary industry strikes deal to govern use of AI in productions
Published on 23 March 2026
Authors and documentary producers' unions – including La Boucle documentaire, GARRD, La Scam, SATEV, SPECT, SPI and USPA – agreed on 17 November on recommended contractual clauses to govern the use of generative AI (gen AI) in documentary production that are with copyright law and the EU AI Regulation.
They jointly drafted recommended contractual clauses to be included in authors’ agreements. These clauses aim to protect authors’ rights and fight the unauthorised use of works to train or feed AI models, and ensure responsible and transparent use of AI in the creation process.
In particular, authors cannot be forced to use gen AI, any use of which during development or production must be subject to prior mutual consent between authors and producers. Producers must also inform co‑producers, distributors and broadcasters of the AI clauses. Given the risks to the authenticity of non‑fiction works, the signatories also commit to clear transparency with their audience so that any use of gen AI and any recreated or fictionalised elements can be clearly identified, regardless of the distribution channel.
Why it matters: Production companies that are members of the French unions should update their contracts with co-producers, distributors, and broadcasters with regards to the use of gen AI in documentaries.
