GEMA: Custodian of the creators of music
Anyone who composes music, writes music lyrics or publishes works of music, is entitled to receive reasonable payment whenever such works are performed in public, broadcast, reproduced or used in any other way. This right is regulated worldwide by national copyright laws and international agreements.
However, no composer, lyricist or music publisher is in a position to themselves adequately check where, when, how often and for how long their titles are used. Moreover, individuals cannot keep making sure that they do actually receive their due reward for their work.
It is precisely this that GEMA does in Germany: in its capacity as state-recognised trustee, GEMA administers the exploitation rights of its members.
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Music Authors Music Publishers