How can I add details to sound recordings for my work?

Information can only be added to sound recordings by GEMA members who are direct participants in the works, and/or by their legal successors or authorised representatives. The easiest way to add...

Categories Radio

*Please note that this is an approximate amount. The amount shown is divided among all the entitled parties involved in the work. Supplements and caps are not considered. Radio is as popular as...

What does the function Amend sound recording actually include?

By using the function Amend sound recording, you can add more information on a sound recording of your work. These details will then be saved with the respective work version. The details relevant...

Radio, TV, Film

Sound Film on TV (incl. Advertising) (T FS / T FS VR) Monitoring information Cinema (Sound Film) (T/TD/TD VR) In a nutshell We have produced a leaflet that provides all the essential information...

Radio, TV and film

TV and Film Financial Year 2023 Link It has been three years since GEMA began to make its distributions in the broadcasting rights distribution categories for uses by public service broadcasters...

Sound Recording FAQ

In the work information of the work version the details on ISRC, recording title (other titles) and performers can be found. It currently takes about 24 hours until you can view the submitted...

Music on sound recordings

Music videos Distribution to the specialist trade or via special distribution channels (tariffs VR-BT-H 3/VR-BT-H 5) Link Synchronisation rights Use of the GEMA repertoire to create a film work...

CISAC, publishers and recording industry come together to upgrade harmonised music cue sheets

CISAC-Logo.jpg The new Global Cue Sheet Standard 2.0 has been developed for the use of all parties who create and use cue sheets for music in AV productions. It provides the relevant metadata...

How to license sound recordings

Can I also upload the entire score of a film and a radio play?

false false The sound file may only contain the composer's own work. Ideally, all tracks (cues) of a score should always be uploaded individually. Alternatively: the entire score as a continuous...

What is a sound file and when should I upload it?

Sound files and what GEMA needs them for Here, GEMA members can find out what a sound file is and in which cases they need to upload a sound file in the GEMA Online Portal. A sound file consists...

When does GEMA membership make sense for me?

We always look forward to welcoming new members. Find out here whether a membership makes economic sense for you. When a GEMA membership makes sense false false We always look forward to...

Are there any restrictions for making a claim?

GEMA - are there restrictions for submitting claims? As a GEMA member, you can submit claims via the GEMA Online Portal, quickly and efficiently, , namely for the following types of use. false...

I want to use music on TikTok. What do I need to consider?

false false In its “Music Terms of Service ”, TikTok differentiates between non-commercial and commercial videos. Non-commercial TikTok videos are created by natural persons, are exclusively for...

How can I add or swap the ISRC in my works?

You can directly add ISRC numbers in our Online Portal; just use the service Add Sound Recording. Please follow these steps: Select My area via the menu on the left and open My repertoire. Use the...

What are royalties in the music business?

Royalties are the income that you get as a GEMA member after deduction of admin costs. Find out more here. What are royalties in the music business? false false If your works are used, you, the...

Is there a user manual and an API for the sound file upload?

You can download the user manual as a PDF . And yes, there is an API for the sound file upload. You can access the documentation at GEMA sound file API. Here, GEMA members can access the user...

I have received an invoice for live music. The music played at the event was, however, from sound recordings and streaming services. What can I do?

false false According to our information, live music was performed at the events in question. You had already received a licence or licences from us on the basis of the tariffs for live music....

Monitoring

User manual Soundfile Link Soundfile Upload in Online Portal Link A sound file consists of: The audio file of a musical work Metadata about the work and the recording (work title, work number,...

How can I add performers to the works?

false Select My area via the menu on the left and open My repertoire. Use the three-point-menu and select Add sound recording details to the work in question. You can now add one or several...

Vom Ohr mitten ins Herz: die meistgehörten Songs zum Valentinstag

Der Hit „Anti-Hero“ aus dem Album „Midnights“ von Taylor Swift dominierte am Valentinstag die Charts. Der Song „Flowers“ von Miley Cyrus, der 2023 zu einem weltweiten Hit wurde, landete am...

Langzeitstudie der GEMA zeigt: Weniger deutschsprachige Musik im Radio

„Unsere Mitglieder profitieren insbesondere von Radioprogrammen mit einer großen kulturellen Bandbreite, die wir anhand der GEMA Kulturfaktoren ermitteln und fördern.“ – Stephanie Scharmann,...

Webradio

Music users Tarifübersicht Webradio Tarif Premium-Radio (S-VR/PHf-Pr) Link Was kann ich z. B. mit diesem Tarif anmelden? Unser Online-Service zur Lizenzierung von Webradios steht allen Webradios...

Soundfile Upload

What is a soundfile? In general, your new registered work will be displayed in the sound file upload within about 24 hours. If a large number of work registrations are received by GEMA...

Reformstaatsvertrag: GEMA sieht musikalische Vielfalt im öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunk in Gefahr

Nadine Remus Kathrin Greven Mit dem Inkrafttreten des Reformstaatsvertrags zur Neuordnung des öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunks appelliert die GEMA an die öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten,...

Which categories are paid out? Which belong to performing rights, broadcasting rights and mechanical rights?

false false These categories belong to the performing rights: International income distribution (sister organisations) A AR Concerts of serious music of all types (E) Serious music direct...

What do I have to consider when I upload a sound file?

What to consider when uploading GEMA sound files false false A sound file may only contain the recording of one work. Audio files may not contain dialogue, pauses/silence or noises, field...

10 Jahre Radiokulturpreis: GEMA zeichnet BR-KLASSIK und Schlager Radio aus

Christina Zander Kathrin Greven Im digitalen Zeitalter bleibt das Radio ein unverzichtbares Medium: Es informiert, unterhält, schafft kulturelle Vielfalt, fördert musikalische Entdeckungen und...

How does GEMA know where and how often my works were used?

There are various ways and means to find out. Organisers of live events are, for example, obliged to submit a playlist (setlist) after the event. In the broadcasting sector (TV and radio), the...

How does GEMA know where and how often my works were used?

There are various ways and means to find out. Organisers of live events are, for example, obliged to submit a playlist (setlist) after the event. In the broadcasting sector (TV and radio), the...

How can I prove that I am the creator?

By sending a letter to your own address with a sound recording or the music score of your work. By means of the post stamp everyone can check when the work has been dispatched. Important: Do not...

CISAC Global Collections Report 2025: Global creators’ royalties reach €13.97 billion, powered by digital growth

false CISAC-Logo.jpg 2025-11-06 14:52 November 6, 2025, PARIS – The CISAC Global Collections Report 2025 was released today, the definitive annual analysis of creator royalties across the global...

Types of use

Get help – quickly! If you need us, our help centre offers answers to your questions – it is quick and easy to use and accessible to you 24/7 – and there are no waiting times. Go to the help centre...

How can I register audio recordings and audiovisual recordings?

Whether you have pure music products such as audio recordings or products with mixed content such as cinema films on DVD and radio plays, you register all storage media products via our price...

Details of our online services

My portal access permissions Go to the portal permissions My portal permissions Go to my portal permissions Sound file upload Go to the upload Keep an eye on your finances. The service My financial...

Die GEMA präsentiert die Weihnachtshits 2024

Unter den am häufigsten gespielten Musikstücken im Radio finden sich auch beliebte Klassiker wie „All I Want for Christmas Is You“ von Mariah Carey (Platz zwei) und „Do They Know It‘s Christmas“...

APRA and CISAC celebrate 100 years of protecting creators’ rights

2026-03-06 08:00 100 years on from when they were both formed on opposite sides of the globe on the principle that creative work carries economic value that must be recognised and protected, the...

Can I revoke approvals that I have given for monitoring or edit sound files retroactively?

You can withdraw or restrict the approval or your sound files at any time. Moreover, you also have the option to edit sound file information respectively the work allocation once they have been...

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...

Where is the data saved and where do the sound files go, once they have been approved?

Find out where a GEMA sound file goes after it has been approved for use. And where the data is stored. GEMA sound files: Where the data is stored The data is saved in a Google cloud platform. The...

Public broadcast

Are my sound files uploaded in the GEMA Soundfile Upload also available to SoundAware for the monitoring of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio? Yes, all soundfiles uploaded in the GEMA Soundfile Upload...

Can I upload several sound files or metadata in bulk or edit them all at once?

If you wish to upload several audio files, just select multiple files in your explorer and add the files via drag & drop. Alternatively, you can also select several files with the search function....

Category M

Nowadays music is played in many public places – ranging from bars, cafés and restaurants to hair salons, supermarkets and retail shops. Even in waiting rooms, there is often background music...

In which cases can I enter into a contract?

Conclude a contract with GEMA As soon as you use music permanently, you can conclude a contract with GEMA. Details can be found here. false false If you use music permanently, such as letting a...

GEMA lädt ins Münchner Werksviertel: Vielfältiges Rahmenprogramm zur Mitgliederversammlung 2025

Die jährliche Mitgliederversammlung der GEMA findet im Wechsel an den Standorten in Berlin und in München statt. Dieses Jahr wird für vier Tage im Münchner Werksviertel ein umfassendes Programm für...

Ela Steinmetz erhält den LYRIKON für ihr Textschaffen

true 2026-05-07 15:00 Die GEMA-Stiftung verleiht in Kooperation mit Song e.V., dem Berufsverband Songwriting, den diesjährigen „LYRIKON. Preis für deutsche Textdichter*innen“ an Ela Steinmetz. Sie...

When is it worth uploading a soundfile via the Online Portal?

false false As a general rule, please register your work with us and upload the corresponding soundfile using the Online Portal. The soundfile is rather essential if you expect that your...

Musik als Wirtschaftsfaktor: Studie belegt Umsatzsteigerung durch Hintergrundmusik

Die im Auftrag der GEMA durchgeführte „Music Impact Studie” liefert erstmals einen wissenschaftlich fundierten Nachweis: Hintergrundmusik steigert den Umsatz im Einzelhandel um durchschnittlich 8...

Benefits of a GEMA Membership

Home Music creators Become a member Benefits of a GEMA Membership Insurance and workshops We offer insurances and workshops tailored for you as a member. Everyone, whether music creator or music...

Why should I switch to the GEMA third-party liability insurance?

Why change to the GEMA third-party liability insurance Professional activities carried out are anchored in the insurance policy. Check the reasons why changing insurer is worth it for music...

Musik anmelden

Your voice gets heard This is how you can help shape GEMA Zum Login Home About GEMA Musik anmelden Area for creators GEMAplus – the bonus programme Go to GEMAplus Zum Login By when do I have to...

Song Economy

Kooperation 27 May 2026 Ranking: Cities of Music Link 20 August 2025 Music creators in Germany We are celebrating our 100,000th member! To mark this historic milestone, we have analysed who...

Landmark declaration signed live on stage at the CISAC General Assembly following emotional tribute from creators around the world

Creators from across the globe united in Paris today to issue a landmark declaration calling for the protection of human creativity as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the cultural and...

Company events

R Background music via the radio Tariff for background music in shop premises, offices or workshops (R) Link The most important GEMA tariffs for companies fs Background music via television Tariff...

Categories Film Screening

Distribution in the Film Screening categories (T, TD, TD VR) In distribution category T, we distribute mostly licence revenue from the use of music in cinema films and cinema commercials. As a...

July

It is possible that the account statements are still on their way, they are only available a few days after the payout at the start of the new month. The process is as follows: Detailed...

Hörfunk

Informationen für Hersteller von Werbespots Get help – quickly! If you need us, our help centre offers answers to your questions – it is quick and easy to use and accessible to you 24/7 – and there...

Masterchannel

Masterchannel is an AI-supported platform which uses reinforcement learning for optimising the mastering process. The system does not use patterns in a dataset but learns independently what...

Election of delegates

Karin Dulau-Bartkowski More Information Close Karin Dulau-Bartkowski In welchem Bereich bin ich tätig? Mein Name ist Karin Dulau-Bartkowski. Ich bin Rechtsnachfolgerin von Manfred Dulau. Ich bin...

Radiokulturpreis

Eine Fachjury – der Hörfunkausschuss, der aus Mitgliedern des Aufsichtsrats und des Werkausschusses besteht – ermittelt einerseits anhand der zehn GEMA Kulturfaktoren die Preisträger. Andererseits...