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Compliance
Hinweisgeberportal Hinweisgebende können sich jederzeit über unser Hinweisgeberportal melden. Dort können Hinweise auch anonym abgeben werden. Gleichzeitig ist es für uns sehr hilfreich, wenn...
Compliance -
Help centre
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....
What is a licence for an event? -
Legal notice
Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte (GEMA) GEMA has its headquarters in Berlin: Head Office Berlin Postal address: GEMA, PO Box 30 12 40, 10722 Berlin...
Legal notice -
Help centre
GEMA and GEZ – is that not the same?
No, GEZ, which has been renamed into “ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice”, is a non-incorporated shared institution, jointly run by the public service state broadcasting companies, the Zweite...
GEMA and GEZ – is that not the same? -
Help centre
How do I register a film or a series?
You can register your film or series easily and conveniently in the Online Portal using the AV registration online service. The service offers you two options for registration: Registration via the...
How do I register a film or a series? -
Help centre
Ich habe 2024 keine Veranstaltung mit Livemusik durchgeführt. Wieso bekomme ich jetzt eine Rechnung?
Sie erhalten diese Rechnung, weil bei den ausgewiesenen Veranstaltungen Livemusik an Ihrer Spielstätte stattfand und an uns gemeldet wurde, für die bislang keine Setlists eingereicht wurden....
Ich habe 2024 keine Veranstaltung mit Livemusik durchgeführt. Wieso bekomme ich jetzt eine Rechnung? -
Help centre
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...
When I declare my work, why do you ask me whether the work is in the public domain (free of copyright)? -
Help centre
Does copyright apply in the case of cover versions?
Yes. That is why the necessary rights must be acquired for the use of a cover version. In most cases this is done via us, GEMA. A cover is a new recording of an existing musical work, possibly also...
Does copyright apply in the case of cover versions? -
Help centre
How high are the GEMA fees for the retail trade?
GEMA royalties for the retail sector are based on the size of the shop premises, the medium used (original CDs, streaming, radio or television broadcasts) and the contract term. The size of the...
How high are the GEMA fees for the retail trade? -
News
Europe’s first landmark ruling on AI: GEMA prevails against OpenAI
2025-11-11 12:33 Today, in a court case which has attracted global interest brought by GEMA against U.S. provider of AI services OpenAI, the Regional Court in Munich handed down a very clear...
Europe’s first landmark ruling on AI: GEMA prevails against OpenAI -
ICE GetOn
Missed the webinar? Have you missed a webinar? No problem! Please feel free to email us at gemaplus@gema.de , stating your name, your membership number and, of course, which webinar you’re...
ICE GetOn -
Help centre
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 the relevant deadlines for you. What is the deadline for submitting a claim as a GEMA...
What are the deadlines for my claims? -
Help centre
Where do I find my membership number?
Where do I find my GEMA membership number? Each GEMA member has a membership number. You can find it in your Deed of Assignment - or in the Online Portal. false false Each GEMA member has a...
Where do I find my membership number? -
Help centre
How do I know whether a song is protected by copyright?
Music is protected by copyright as soon as it constitutes a personal intellectual creation. In the case of musical works, the threshold of originality is met even where there is only a minimal...
How do I know whether a song is protected by copyright? -
Help centre
When will the next distribution for physical music media (audio and audio-visual media) take place?
false false We expect to announce the next distribution date for MT VR and GT VR in spring 2026.
When will the next distribution for physical music media (audio and audio-visual media) take place? -
Help centre
I have requested a change to my contract. Why did I receive a notice of termination of the contract?
My contract was terminated No problem! A partial change to your old contract is not possible. This is why we cancel it and issue a new one. More on this right here. false false We can put your...
I have requested a change to my contract. Why did I receive a notice of termination of the contract? -
Help centre
How does GEMA membership come about?
How a GEMA membership comes into being false false Once you have completed the admission procedure, membership is achieved by concluding a so-called Deed of Assignment. By signing the latter,...
How does GEMA membership come about? -
Help centre
What can I do if my work is used publicly without my consent?
First, check in the ‘My Royalties’ service to see whether the use of your work has already been recorded and settled. If the use is not listed there, please submit a claim via the ‘Claims’ service...
What can I do if my work is used publicly without my consent? -
Help centre
Why do I have to confirm during the work declaration process that my work was not created exclusively by AI?
Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) allows you to “produce” music in just seconds and distribute it to the masses with a single mouse click. To prevent damage to the musical and cultural...
Why do I have to confirm during the work declaration process that my work was not created exclusively by AI? -
Help centre
Was ist Licensr?
Licensr ist eine Self-Service-Plattform von ICE, um Musik für Online-Musikdienste lizenzieren zu lassen. Allerdings können Sie mit Licensr auch nur den Preis berechnen und später eine Lizenz...
Was ist Licensr? -
Help centre
What is the GEMA's income used for?
GEMA distributes all revenue, after deduction of administrative costs, to eligible domestic music authors and, via sister organisations, to foreign music authors. Revenue from rights under Section...
What is the GEMA's income used for? -
Help centre
What does a GEMA membership cost?
false false There is a one-off admission fee to become a member. Creators pay €90.00 (plus 19% VAT; a total of €107.10), and music publishers pay €180.00 (plus 19% VAT; a total of €214.20). If...
What does a GEMA membership cost? -
Help centre
Wie melde ich die Produktion eines Films oder einer Serie an?
Die Produktion eines Films oder einer Serie melden Sie über den Onlineservice „AV-Anmeldung“ im GEMA Onlineportal an. Die Anmeldung ist verpflichtend für alle Produktionen, in denen GEMA geschützte...
Wie melde ich die Produktion eines Films oder einer Serie an? -
Help centre
I want to offer a cover version for download/streaming/sale. What do I need to consider?
First of all, check whether your track is a cover version or an arrangement (see below). For a cover version without a video, which you offer for download, streaming or on your own website, you...
I want to offer a cover version for download/streaming/sale. What do I need to consider? -
News
SoundAware übernimmt Monitoring im öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunk
SoundAware greift bei seiner Musikerkennung unter anderem auf die GEMA Soundfile Datenbank zurück. Fehlende Soundfiles können dazu führen, dass sich die Ausschüttung verzögert oder Tantiemen nicht...
SoundAware übernimmt Monitoring im öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunk -
About GEMA
Delegierte
Kathrin Denner In welchem Bereich bin ich tätig? Ich bin Safi: Komponistin, Texterin, Sängerin, Musikerin, schreibe PostPunk/Avantgarde (Rock-Pop) für Drums, Elektro, E-Gitarren, vor allem...
Delegierte -
Help centre
Which insurance solutions does GEMA offer its members?
false false Based on our experience, insurances were structured for exactly those areas that are of importance to music creators. Depending on the respective needs, they can be customised to...
Which insurance solutions does GEMA offer its members? -
Help centre
Who chooses the winners?
false false 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...
Who chooses the winners? -
Help centre
Can I become a creator or publisher member of several collective management organisations (for music) in the world at the same time?
Member in several collective management organisations Do you want to be a member in several collective management organisations? In general, this is possible. Find out more about the requirements....
Can I become a creator or publisher member of several collective management organisations (for music) in the world at the same time? -
Help centre
Can I become a creator or publisher member of several collective management organisations (for music) in the world at the same time?
Yes, that is possible in principle. The requirement for this is that your membership does not overlap in terms of territories, rights and period of representation. Do you want to be a member in...
Can I become a creator or publisher member of several collective management organisations (for music) in the world at the same time? -
About GEMA
Delegierte Textdichter
TEXTDICHTER Heiko Benjes More Information Close TEXTDICHTER Heiko Benjes In welchem Bereich bin ich tätig? Sänger (Bass) in zwei a cappella Formationen aus Ansbach bzw. Berlin, für beide als Texter...
Delegierte Textdichter -
Help centre
How can I ensure my works are protected?
Thanks to the German Copyright Act, your works are automatically protected. You do not have to do anything for the protection of your works. Here are some specifics. You do not need to do anything....
How can I ensure my works are protected? -
Help centre
Can I continue to use the Online Portal in future without the 2FA method?
Can I continue to use the Online Portal in future without the 2FA method? false false As a GEMA member and/or employee of a sister society/organisation, using the two-factor authentication method...
Can I continue to use the Online Portal in future without the 2FA method? -
Help centre
What is a permanent licence and what is an individual licence?
false false 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...
What is a permanent licence and what is an individual licence? -
Help centre
How are collections from rights management distributed?
false false 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)...
How are collections from rights management distributed? -
Help centre
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? -
Help centre
Why do we speak about GEMA members?
Because we are an association. More specifically, we have the legal form of an economic association by virtue of state conferral pursuant to section 22 of the German Civil Code (BGB). We consist of...
Why do we speak about GEMA members? -
Help centre
Why do we speak about GEMA members?
Because we are an association. More specifically, we have the legal form of an economic association by virtue of state conferral pursuant to section 22 of the German Civil Code (BGB). We consist of...
Why do we speak about GEMA members? -
Help centre
(I want to arrange a work.) What can I do if the author of the work is unknown?
To adapt a work lawfully, you must obtain the consent of the rights holders. You should therefore carry out research into composers, lyricists and performers before making an enquiry, using work...
(I want to arrange a work.) What can I do if the author of the work is unknown? -
Help centre
How can I register, re-register or deregister editions?
As a GEMA member, you are currently unable to create, re-register or deregister editions directly via the online portal. This must be done by email via our specialist department. Here’s how to...
How can I register, re-register or deregister editions?
Discover the main areas of GEMA




The most frequently asked questions in our Help Center
What does it cost to use music in public?
How do I know which tariff is the right one?
You have two options to determine this:You can either use our various price calculators. Or you go to our overview page tariff overview...