RX France at the helm of the Cannes Yachting Festival until 2041
Since 2016, the Fédération des Industries Nautiques - FIN - and Reed Expo, now RX France, have been at odds over the Cannes Yachting Festival's operating rights and paternity. While the issue of paternity had already been settled, with the show remaining the property of FIN, the latter objected to the validity of a clause guaranteeing RX France the right to operate the show until 2041. After passing through the various levels of jurisdiction, up to and including the Paris Court of Appeal in 2021, FIN appealed to the French Supreme Court. On December 6, the Court of Cassation finally upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, finding in favor of RX France, which will now organize the Cannes Yachting Festival until 2041.
The decision puts an end to 7 years of legal proceedings.
A new page in collaboration
While the situation had already calmed down, with the attraction of the Cannes show for the industry forcing the parties to come to an agreement, statements from RX France bear witness to the new dynamic. Michel Filzi, President of RX France, comments "Even before this court decision, a new page has begun to be written with FIN. We have re-engaged in a calm dialogue with the new FIN president, elected in 2022, and his new team, and at the last Yachting Festival we were already able to work together, as we did for the launch of the Posidonia initiative."
Show manager Sylvie Ernoult agrees: "I won't hide that I'm very happy that this sad legal story is finally over. And I'm proud of the way the Cannes Yachting Festival has evolved in recent years. Working closely with the French and international yachting community, and thanks to a number of innovative decisions, we have succeeded in consolidating its position as Europe's No. 1 in-water show for all sectors, and No. 1 worldwide for sailboats. As a reminder, over the past 7 years, the show has increased its exhibition space by more than 50%, from 630 to 705 boats."
