Use music

Films, series, advertising & videos

• 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 contact the rightsholder/s (creators/publishers) and obtain their permission to do so. The synchronisation right must be cleared.
  
  Only in the case of own or commissioned TV productions (exclusively for broadcast purposes), GEMA is allowed to offer repertoire without obtaining prior clearance from the rightsholders.

• 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 synchronisation right to GEMA is not intended.

• Wie melde ich die Produktion eines Films oder einer Serie an?

  You must register the production of a film or TV series via the ‘AV Registration’ online service on the GEMA online portal. Registration is mandatory for all productions in which GEMA-protected music is used. You have two options:

  • Registration via the online form, which guides you step by step through all the required details, or
  • via the Excel template, which you can download, complete and upload to the online portal.

  You will need to provide details of the production title, production company, musical works used and intended use. Once your registration has been successfully processed, you will receive a confirmation and the licence fee will be calculated in accordance with the applicable rates.