What are so-called legal successors?

Copyright is valid until 70 years after the death of the author. This is why it is possible that even after the death of a GEMA creator, the Deed of Assignment can be continued with the legal successor(s) in terms of copyright management. If you are a legal successor you require a certificate of inheritance which you present to our Members & Partners department. If there are other legal successors apart from yourself, you need to determine a joint authorised representative who is going to exercise your rights vis-à-vis GEMA. The royalty payments, however, will be made separately to each individual legal successor.

Information leaflet on clarifying legal succession

Notification about a case of death/ legal succession