What is a permanent licence and what is an individual licence?

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 licences for individual events only.

A permanent licence refers to a GEMA contract for the repeated use of music over a defined period. This could include, for example, music played on the radio in a hairdressing salon, or background music played via CD or streaming in retail outlets or the hospitality sector. You register the permanent use via the GEMA online portal, and we will provide you with a contract offer with a monthly, quarterly or annual term.

An individual licence covers the use of music at a single event, such as a concert or a town festival. You register the event before it takes place, and we will grant you permission to play music publicly there. Important: A current contract for background music does not usually cover individual special events. For example: you have a contract for background music in your restaurant and are also organising a summer party with live music. You must register this summer party separately as an individual event.

Both terms, ‘permanent licence’ and ‘individual licence’, are no longer in use at GEMA.