Wie kann ich den Preis für Musik im Internet berechnen?

Wenn Sie Musik im Internet nutzen möchten, können Sie im Onlineportal den Preis berechnen und die Musik gleich anmelden. Beispiele für eine Online-Nutzung sind Webradio, Podcast, Website, Portale,...

Music notification

Social Media & Websites

Ich möchte auf meiner Webseite Musik zum Streaming/Download anbieten. Welcher Tarif gilt und wie melde ich die Musik an? Ich möchte einen Musikinhalt, z. B. Hintergrundmusik, auf meiner Website...

Do I have to report GEMA free music?

Yes, you also have to report to us if you use music in the public domain, or GEMA free music. It is only on the basis of your notification that we can check your played titles. In the case of...

I want to use music on TikTok. What do I need to consider?

Music for private TikToks In its “Music Terms of Service ”, TikTok differentiates between non-commercial and commercial videos. Non-commercial videos are created by natural persons, are exclusively...

What do I have to do if I want to use music for a promotional film?

You can only obtain the permission to use music in a promotional film (e.g. for TV, cinema or internet) from the rightsholders. In this area, a transfer of the synchronisation right to GEMA is not...

What do I have to do if I want to use music for a promotional film?

You can only obtain the permission to use music in a promotional film (e.g. for TV, cinema or internet) from the rightsholder/s (creators/publishers). In this area, a transfer of the...

What do I need to do if the music was GEMA-free?

You must also notify us of GEMA-free live music no later than 6 weeks after the event in title lists or setlists. The easiest way you can do this is in our Online Portal under My setlists. During...

Can I also just use the price calculator for information purposes only (without having to report music at the same time)?

Yes, you can use the price calculator to just determine the price and access the relevant information without having to submit music notifications immediately. You can cancel the process up to the...

What do I have to do if I want to use music for a film production?

In principle, the law on copyright is always applicable. If you wish to use the intellectual property of a third party, in your case protected musical works, for a film production, you must contact...

I would like to upload music on a video platform such as YouTube or Twitch. What do I need to consider?

Do you want to use music on YouTube or Twitch? Here’s everything you need to know. First things first: It is easier than you may think, especially if you use music for personal purposes on the...

What do I have to do if I want to use music for a film production or a video?

In principle, copyright law is always applicable. If you wish to use the intellectual property of a third party, in your case protected musical works, for a film production or a video, you must...

How can I add details to sound recordings for my work?

Information can only be added to sound recordings by GEMA members who are direct participants in the works, and/or by their legal successors or authorised representatives. The easiest way to add...

I have received an invoice for live music. The music played at the event was, however, from sound recordings and streaming services. What can I do?

According to our information, live music was performed at the events in question. You had already received a licence or licences from us on the basis of the tariffs for live music. Since you had...

I have received an invoice for live music. The music played at the event was, however, from sound recordings and streaming services. What can I do?

According to our information, live music was performed at the events in question. You had already received a licence or licences from us on the basis of the tariffs for live music. Since you had...

Something is not clear to me in the invoice. What can I do?

The quickest thing you can do might be to help yourself. Otherwise, please do get in touch. a) Do you have questions on the price or the tariff? In that case, please use our price calculators for:...

We are a sports association. Do we have to notify GEMA of our club events?

The most important facts in a nutshell: Events of associations and clubs with music must be reported to GEMA up front; even events without entrance fees, these usually cost less. Please use the...

Which categories are paid out? Which belong to performing rights, broadcasting rights and mechanical rights?

These categories belong to the performing rights: International income distribution (sister organisations) A AR Concerts of serious music of all types (E) Serious music direct accounting (net...

How do I notify GEMA that the work in question is subject to a combined term of protection?

During the notification process for a new work, you are asked whether music and lyrics were created together. You answer this question with yes if several creators were involved in this joint music...

Which tariff is the right one?

That depends on where and how you use music. You can easily find out the right tariff: Is your query about an event, a permanent music use (e.g. In retail, the catering trade and in hotel and guest...

What are synchronisation rights?

The film synchronisation right comes into play when musical works protected by copyright are used in an audiovisual production such as a cinema movie or a video game. Should a licensee, for example...

In which cases can I enter into a contract?

If you use music permanently, such as letting a radio play at a hairdresser’s or playing back music from a CD in a retail shop. Notify us of the music use. Best to do so in our Online Portal, and...

Which are the most important usage categories?

Film performance rights and film synchronisation rights (to a limited extent) Statutory remuneration rights such as what is known as hardware levy and blank media levy (blank tape remuneration)...

Which are the most important usage categories?

Film performance rights and film synchronisation rights (to a limited extent) Statutory remuneration rights such as what is known as hardware levy and blank media levy (blank tape remuneration)...

Which rights do I assign to GEMA with the Deed of Assignment?

You assign to us as a trustee all rights in your works you are currently entitled to and those accruing, devolving, redevolving to you or otherwise acquired by you during the term of this Deed for...

Which rights do I assign to GEMA with the Deed of Assignment?

You assign to us as a trustee all rights in your works you are currently entitled to and those accruing, devolving, redevolving to you or otherwise acquired by you during the term of this Deed for...

When I declare my work, why do you ask me whether the work is in the public domain (free of copyright)?

If you notify us of your own works which you created alone, please always answer this question with ‘no’. To be in the public domain means that the author(s) of the original work which is now...

What is GEMA and what is its significance?

The acronym “GEMA” stands for “Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte” [Society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights]. We are a...

How are collections from rights management distributed?

As a member, the income collected from issued licences are allocated to you on the basis of the GEMA distribution plan. The distribution plan governs the allocation ratios (splits) between...

How are collections from rights management distributed?

As a member, the income collected from issued licences are allocated to you on the basis of the GEMA distribution plan. The distribution plan governs the allocation ratios (splits) between...

How can I ensure my works are protected?

You do not need to do anything. Your works are automatically protected by German copyright. This applies to music, score materialand song lyrics, from the very moment they are created.

What is a permanent licence and what is an individual licence?

We no longer use either term. Just to be clear though: A permanent licence means a contract. Music is used here over a longer period of time. An individual licence relates to licences for...

Who chooses the winners?

The winners will be selected by the respective event promoters. If it is a showcase at GEMA (such as the Long Night of Music), the winner will be selected via an internal vote by all GEMA staff...

What is a licence for an event?

"License" is a legal term meaning "permission" or "authorization." Let’s assume that you notify us of an event which takes place once, e.g. a concert, a party, an opening ceremony or a vernissage....

Where do I find specific information on industry sectors, business communities and associations?

Under industry sectors & more (only in German), we have compiled infos for the groups mentioned earlier. If you run a catering trade, hotel, fitness studio, or have a cultural business, carnival...

Which form do I use for my music notification?

You cannot submit notifications relating to most GEMA tariffs for events and background music; instead, you can do this via the price calculator in our Online Portal. It’s really simple and you...

Where do I find a tariff overview?

You can use our price calculator to find out the price of a tariff quickly and easily. A complete overview of all tariffs with all details can be found under our tariff overview. In the left...

How can I register sound recordings online?

In order to submit online notifications for sound recordings, please register for the online application how to license and research sound recordings (see our registration instructions).

How can I register sound recordings online?

There are two ways to register the use of music on sound recordings: For many purposes, you can simply purchase the licence in our online portal. This applies, for example, to the production of...

I wish to upload music content to a video platform such as YouTube. What do I need to consider?

We granted exploitation rights based on the licence agreement we concluded with YouTube. This means that music subject to a GEMA licence may be uploaded since YouTube is paying a licence fee...

How do I know whether a song is protected by copyright?

In general, you must assume that music is protected by copyright. The only requirement is that a musical work has been created. Such a creation exists if the level of creation required by copyright...

Why should I switch to the GEMA third-party liability insurance?

A third-party liability insurance is only sensible and useful if all professional activities exercised are included in the insurance policy / certificate. The GEMA third-party liability insurance...

GEMA contacts for customer complaints

What is the GEMA presumption?

We are the only collective management organisation for musical copyrights in Germany. As such, we manage the rights to tens of thousands of musical works from Germany and abroad. This is also...

Do I have to report anything afterwards?

Please always submit event notifications with specific dates such as place, date, attendance (where applicable), etc. In the case of specific event types, e.g. concerts, we also need you to submit...

What is the difference between a cover version and an arrangement of a work?

Cover version: A cover is a new recording of an existing musical work, possibly also with different instruments. The creator details therefore correspond to the original version e.g. when...

What are royalties in the music business?

If your works are used, you, the creator or publisher, will receive payments; they are also known as royalties. In order to receive such royalties, you assign the exploitation rights for your...

What are the deadlines for my claims?

It depends on each usage category how long you have time to submit a claim. We have listed the sectors with their categories and the relevant deadlines for you. Below, you can also find a link to...