Toubon Law

It does not concern books, films, public speeches, and other forms of communications not constituting commercial activity.

However, the law mandates the use of the French language in all broadcast audiovisual programs, with exceptions for musical works and "original version" films.

[2] Broadcast musical works are subject to quota rules under a related law whereby a minimum percentage of television shows and 35%[3] of songs on the radio must be in the French language.

For example, in 2006 a French subsidiary of a US company was given a hefty fine for delivering certain highly technical documents and software interfaces to its employees in the English language only, and this was upheld by the appellate court.

[5][6] Another broad provision of the law is that it makes it mandatory for commercial advertisements and public announcements to be given in French.

[12][13] The original restrictions on colloquia also applied to private bodies, but that was found unconstitutional prior to enactment,[14] on grounds that they violated freedom of speech, and the final form of the law was modified accordingly.