Paris Court Clears Vincent Bolloré of Vivendi Control

The ruling concludes a complex legal cycle triggered by the French Supreme Court’s November 2025 decision. At that time, the Cour de cassation vacated a previous appellate judgment, determining that the lower court had misapplied Article L.233-3 of the French Commercial Code when it concluded that Bolloré maintained definitive control over the media giant. Following the remand, a newly composed panel of the Paris Court of Appeal reviewed the evidence and confirmed that the relationship between the parties does not meet the statutory threshold for such control.

This judicial clarification settles the question of corporate influence for Vivendi, a diversified group that holds significant assets across the global media, publishing, and entertainment sectors. With the legal ambiguity removed, the company maintains its current governance structure as it continues managing its portfolio, which includes stakes in Universal Music Group, Lagardère, and Gameloft.