Angoulême Court rejects 9e Art+ lawsuit over comic festival management

The Angoulême judicial court has rejected a legal challenge brought by 9e Art+ and the FIBD association against their removal as organizers of the Angoulême International Comics Festival (FIBD). The plaintiffs had sought to annul a call for projects launched by the Association for the Development of Comics in Angoulême (ADBDA) and requested €300,000 in damages, alleging unfair competition and parasitism.

Magistrates dismissed these claims, stating there was no evidence of imminent harm or a risk of public confusion between the old and new events. The court noted that the ADBDA required the new service provider, Morgane Group, to establish a distinct brand identity to avoid such confusion.

The legal dispute follows years of tension and a massive boycott by authors protesting 9e Art+’s management practices, which included issues regarding financial transparency and managerial conduct. Following the ruling, 9e Art+ and FIBD must pay legal costs totaling €14,000. The decision clears the way for the 2027 festival, scheduled for January 27–31.