Members’ Brochure

Welcome to GEMA

I am delighted at your interest in GEMA. The following information will give you an overview of the comprehensive services offered by GEMA, the German authors’ society for works of music. This brochure should serve as a guide for members and those wishing to become members.
Music is omnipresent – at home, at work, in shops, in the subway or in the concert hall. Never before was so much music heard as today. And never before was it easier to enjoy listening to a wonderful melody. But music does not simply happen. Every tune and every line of lyrics involves a great deal of hard work, creativity and intuition. The opinion, feelings, perception and knowledge of the authors are reflected in every single work, making the bond linking creator and art into something unique. This original, creative achievement is intellectual property and has its value.
But how is intellectual property protected, what safeguards the creative community against plagiarism, pirate copies and similar attacks? The answer is copyright. Copyright means that the authors are entitled to decide whether and how their works are to be published. At first sight, the individual exploitation of rights looks quite simple, but in view of the vast number of different forms of music used it is practically impossible for the individual to exercise these rights himself.
For this reason, the music authors (composers, lyricists and music publishers) have organised themselves into the society of GEMA (Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte). With the consent of the authors, GEMA administers the exploitation of their works collectively and on their behalf. In doing so, it can look back on over 100 years of experience. Especially in today’s information age, copyright and its administration are growing more and more important. Because in the light of digitisation, increased marketing and in most cases free distribution of music contents via the Internet, the individual artist is less protected than ever in the face of their works being used for nothing in return.
As the custodian of musical authors’ rights, GEMA makes sure that the creators receive an equitable share of royalties every time their works are used. It grants licences and distributes the revenue to its members according to a differentiated and regularly updated system of tariffs.
Besides administering the copyright exploitation rights, GEMA also pursues another goal, and that is to preserve music culture and maintain its creative diversity. This can only be achieved, if the creators are provided with an economic basis upon which they can freely develop their ideas and inspirations. Because music is not just any commodity. It is art, enjoyment and entertainment, depending on your individual perception. One thing is quite clear though: Without music our world would be a much poorer place.
I wish you some interesting reading and every success with your creative work!

Yours sincerely

Harald Heker