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Societal Indicators
Vivendi’s Four “Core” Issues Relating to Human Rights
On the technical side, UMG uses tools to identify and remove illegal
content both directly and via industry bodies such as the RIAA (Recording
Industry Association of America) or the French HADOPI system. They also
employ technical resources to monitor websites and issue automated
takedown notices, takedown of Apps from App stores when they
facilitate piracy, notification to users of pirated services, etc. Additionally,
in combating piracy, UMG closely co-operates with public authorities and
intermediaries (e.g., Internet access providers, advertisers, credit card
companies and search engines).
The Vivendi Village subsidiary Watchever is committed to protecting the
content of its rights-holders, not only with respect to its users, but also
vis-à-vis its service providers. Clauses describing the intellectual property
of the rights-holders that prohibit unauthorized access to their content
are included in the contracts with their technical partners. In addition,
Watchever undertakes to its content suppliers to use DRM technologies.
Finally, several functions have been created to limit the possibility of
piracy: availability of videos in streaming and not for download, limit to
number of devices that can access the service from a single user account,
and accessibility of the service only on devices with technical features
that prevent illegal copying.
The strategy for combating piracy also includes the delivery of compelling
legal offers of music and audiovisual works (see Section 4.1.1), and a
dialog with public authorities on the regulation and protection of
intellectual property (see Section 4.5.2). Vivendi’s subsidiaries are also
active within associations that fight piracy (see Section 4.3).
INNOVATIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS ENABLING
THE BROADCAST OF A LARGE SPECTRUM OF ARTISTIC
CREATION
GRI
UNGC OECD Scope covered
DMA PR MSS Content
Distribution aspect
1, 2
II, IV
UMG
Canal+ Group
To help bring artists’ work to wider audiences, Vivendi’s subsidiaries
have formed innovative partnerships with distributors, platforms and
operators.
For Canal+ Group, digital technologies provide an essential tool with
which to bring local content and new talents to an increasingly vast and
diversified audience. The Canal+ Group’s strategic partnerships with key
players in digital distribution and brands help it work toward this goal.
One example is the partnership it formed with iROKO, the world’s leading
distributor of online African content, for the purpose of launching the first
subscription-based video on demand (SVoD) service for mobile devices in
French-speaking Africa. The offering is based in particular on the Canal+
Group’s large catalogue of African programs, which thus gets wider
exposure in these parts of the continent.
In 2015, in France, Canal+ entered into a partnership with Seat to
produce
Détours
. This digital platform dedicated to lifestyle news offers
a selection of upbeat and original inspirations to help viewers explore the
world in new ways thanks in particular to daily articles and a weekly web
series with Manuel Herrero and Alexandra Leroux (talents discovered by
the Canal+ show
Les Nouveaux Explorateurs
).
Partnerships with global brands form part of UMG’s determination to
make its catalogue accessible to all music fans regardless of borders and
cultural barriers. Universal Music & Brands, the group’s dedicated brand
partnership division, manages a broad portfolio of partners operating in
60 countries. These partnerships create dedicated services and special
opportunities that are free to consumers, particularly in emerging markets
and areas experiencing rapid growth (Africa, India, the Middle East,
Eastern Europe and Latin America) where music is not widely accessible.
In 2015, for example, UMG extended its partnership with HP to cover
22 countries compared to the initial deal’s six, thus enabling the brand’s
customers to take part in private concerts and to have access to UMG’s
diverse catalogue via an HP branded streaming site. The group also
renewed its partnership with Turkish Airlines, which provides passengers
with an opportunity to learn about the heritage of the city they are flying
to with music playlists and interviews with artists. In the UK, UMG also
launched the fourth series of their talent-discovery show on Channel 4, in
partnership with Red Bull.
4.1.1.4. Support Given to Innovative Entrepreneurship
INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND START-UPS IN THE CULTURE
AND MEDIA SECTOR
GRI
UNGC OECD Scope covered
G4-26,G4-EC8, DMA PR
MSS Content Creation and
Distribution aspects
-
-
UMG
Canal+ Group
Corporate
In April 2016, Vivendi teamed up with Paris&Co, the economic
development and innovation agency of Paris, to launch The Cargo
platform dedicated to cultural and creative digital industries. As a
founding member, Vivendi will share its corporate social responsibility
approach with the start-ups. The group will pay special attention to the
young companies’ ability to promote diversity of content and artistic
expression in their projects, and to encourage more women into digital
entrepreneurship.
In the UK, with Abbey Road Red, UMG launched Europe’s first music
tech start-up incubator. This program aims to help innovative young
businesses expand their operations, get more exposure and refine their
products. It allows them to work alongside Abbey Road Studios for a
six-month period, thus benefitting from access to the studios’ facilities,
UMG’s network, and to receive advice from music-industry professionals.
Four start-ups joined the program in the fall of 2015.
Since 2011, Canal+ has been holding
Le Grand match de l’innovation
.
This contest for young people encourages them to develop an innovative
show concept for the television of tomorrow, based on interactivity and
involving social media, applications for mobile devices and tablets,
image processing and virtual platforms. For some, this contest will be an
opportunity to join the staff of Canal+ for an internship, apprenticeship or
job and to bring their show concept to life.
EXTRA-FINANCIAL INDICATORS HANDBOOK
2015
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