Helios cinema network faces lawsuit from SFP-ZAPA over royalty disputes

The Helios cinema network and the Polish Filmmakers Association – ZAPA (SFP-ZAPA) are engaged in a legal dispute regarding the payment of copyright royalties. SFP-ZAPA has filed a lawsuit against Helios, alleging that the cinema chain unilaterally changed royalty rates and the basis for their calculation, and has reportedly ceased payments for several months in 2025.

Helios disputes these claims, stating that its contract with SFP-ZAPA ended in April 2025. The network argues that SFP-ZAPA has failed to identify the specific groups of creators it represents, making it impossible to verify payments. Helios currently pays a rate of 0.25 percent based solely on revenue from Polish productions, which account for approximately 15 percent of its ticket sales. In contrast, SFP-ZAPA demands a rate of 1.05 percent of all film screening revenues, including foreign productions.

Helios contends that the rates demanded by SFP-ZAPA are not binding and that the organization has refused to negotiate. Helios maintains that it continues to pay royalties due to Polish creators proportional to the revenue generated by domestic films. Meanwhile, Helios has raised concerns regarding SFP-ZAPA’s financial transparency, noting that the organization holds significant funds awaiting identification of creators, a matter that has previously been subject to Ministry of Culture oversight.