SIAE Penalties: What Happens if You Don't Submit the borderò

In brief:

- Failure to complete the SIAE borderò incurs penalties up to EUR 5,164

- The submission deadline is 20 days from the event date

- Delayed submission can also be penalized

- Responsibility is joint and several: the DJ and organizer are both liable

- Automating with EasyBordero (3 minutes) eliminates the risk of oversight

Penalties Prescribed by Law

The L. 633/1941 (Italian Copyright Law) provides for administrative penalties for those who fail to comply with communication obligations to SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers):

Violation Legal Basis Penalty
Failure to complete the music program Art. 174 L. 633/1941 Up to EUR 5,164
Event without SIAE authorization Art. 174 L. 633/1941 From EUR 51 to EUR 2,065
False declarations in the borderò Art. 171 L. 633/1941 Criminal penalties
Recidivism Art. 174 co. 3 Doubled penalty

Failure to submit the SIAE music program (borderò) can result in administrative penalties of up to EUR 5,164 per single violation. In case of recidivism, the penalty can be doubled.

Who is Responsible

Responsibility for completing the borderò is joint and several:

  • The DJ or musician — as the performer, is required to provide the list of tracks played
  • The event organizer — is jointly responsible for all SIAE obligations
  • The venue manager — for events held at their venue

In practice, if the borderò is not completed, SIAE can seek recourse from each of the involved parties.

What Happens During an Inspection

SIAE inspectors can carry out inspections during events or retrospectively. Here's what they check:

  1. SIAE authorization — the event must have a valid SIAE authorization
  2. Music program — must have been completed and submitted within the deadlines
  3. Correspondence — the declared tracks must match those actually played

If an inspection reveals that the borderò has not been completed, the inspector can:

  • Issue an administrative penalty
  • Request immediate completion of the borderò
  • In serious cases, request the suspension of the event

How to Avoid Penalties

1. Complete the borderò immediately after the event

Don't wait until the last day of the 20-day period. Complete the borderò the day after the event, when the tracklist is still fresh.

2. Automate with EasyBordero

EasyBordero reduces completion to 3 minutes:

  1. Export the tracklist from your DJ software
  2. Import into EasyBordero
  3. The system automatically matches the tracks
  4. Submit with one click

A DJ who plays 4 evening events a month and automates the borderò completely eliminates the risk of oversights and penalties.

3. Keep an event log

Maintain an event calendar with borderò submission deadlines (20 days after each event). This helps you not forget any obligations.

What to Do if You Forgot

If you have exceeded the 20-day deadline:

  1. Still complete the borderò — a late submission is always better than no submission
  2. Document the delay — keep any communication with the organizer or venue
  3. Do not falsify data — declaring tracks different from those played is a criminal offense
  4. Consult a lawyer — if you have received a penalty notice, consult a specialized lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the SIAE fine for a missing borderò?

The penalty for failure to complete the SIAE music program can be up to EUR 5,164 per single violation, pursuant to Art. 174 of the L. 633/1941 (Italian Copyright Law). In case of recidivism, the amount can be doubled.

Can I submit the borderò late?

Yes, it is always advisable to complete the borderò even if it's late, rather than not completing it at all. The delay can still be penalized, but the penalty is generally lower than for non-completion.

Does SIAE really check borderòs?

Yes. SIAE conducts inspections both during events (through inspectors) and retrospectively (through documentary checks). Inspections are more frequent in venues with regular musical activity and during large-scale events.

If I only play royalty-free music, do I need to complete the borderò?

No. If all tracks played are royalty-free (not protected by copyright), it is not necessary to complete the SIAE music program. However, in practice, it is very rare for a DJ to play exclusively royalty-free music.

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SIAE Penalties: What Happens if You Don't Submit the borderò | Blog EasyBorderò