Article 19 in practice: what producers need to report this year

Cleriti Legal Team • Published 2 November 2026 • 2 min read

From 2026 onwards, every producer releasing film or TV content in the EU must be able to show authors and performers how their work is being exploited. Here’s what that means in practice, and how to prepare without the last-minute rush.

What is the transparency obligation?

Article 19 of the EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM) gives authors and performers the right to receive up-to-date, relevant and comprehensive information on the exploitation of their works. In most countries this has now been implemented in national law, read our country overview for the details.

In short: if you contract creative talent, you need to be able to tell them where, how and with what revenue the production is being used, at least once a year.

Who has to report?

The producer who contracted the authors and performers
Co-producers, for the share of rights they control
Sub-licensees, when the producer doesn’t hold the information themselves

“Transparency isn’t a box-ticking exercise. Producers who set up a clear process now will save themselves a lot of work, and build trust with their talent.”

— Copyright lawyer, Fieldfisher

What information must be shared?

The information must be relevant and proportionate. For most productions that means:

1 The modes of exploitation (broadcast, streaming, cinema, DVD)
2 The territories and periods in which the work is exploited
3 The revenues generated and any remuneration due

On set: talent information is easiest to capture at the start of a production.

How often do you need to report?

At least once a year, and in an accessible format. Cleriti generates audit-ready reports automatically, so you can send them straight from the platform. See how it works in our product tour.

Key takeaway

Start collecting talent and exploitation data at contract stage. It turns the yearly report into a five-minute job instead of a five-week project.

Tags: Article 19 EU DSM Directive Producers

Written by Cleriti Legal Team