Abstract

Public support (direct and indirect) is crucial for financing audio-visual production. However, without pre-sales of rights, producers would face significant difficulties in financing audio-visual productions. With regard to pre-sales, the possibility of granting film rights on a territorial basis, including on an exclusive basis, plays a crucial role. Copyright law respects the adopted principle of territoriality, although there are exceptions to it or attempts to restrict it. However, the absolute principle of territoriality in licence agreements may be restricted basing on the general principles of Community law and competition law. The article attempts to answer the question of the limits of the principle of territoriality in copyright law and pre-sale contracts for film rights.