SFP-ZAPA royalty disputes with Polish cinema chains

The Polish Filmmakers Association (SFP-ZAPA) is engaged in ongoing legal disputes with major cinema chains regarding the payment of copyright royalties to creators.

In one instance, SFP-ZAPA filed a lawsuit against the Helios cinema network, alleging that the chain unilaterally changed royalty rates and ceased payments for several months in 2025. Helios has contested these claims, arguing that its contract with the association ended in April 2025 and questioning the financial transparency of SFP-ZAPA. Helios maintains it pays royalties for Polish productions at a rate of 0.25 percent of revenue, while SFP-ZAPA demands 1.05 percent of all film screening revenues.

Separately, a Warsaw District Court ordered the Cinema City multiplex to pay nearly 26 million PLN in royalties to SFP-ZAPA following a dispute spanning nearly nine years. The ruling covers film screenings from 2008–2010 and 2014–2017. SFP-ZAPA described the award as “one of the highest royalty awards in the organization's history.” Cinema City has announced its intention to appeal the decision, stating the ruling is not yet final.