What do I have to consider if I transmit a fee-based live stream with music on YouTube?

For paid live streams featuring music on YouTube, Facebook or Instagram, you will generally require a GEMA licence for live streaming if access to the stream is conditional on payment. This also applies if viewers are required to make a donation or contribution of an amount of their choosing in order to watch the stream. If the livestream is accessible without any restrictions and donations are entirely voluntary, the use is generally covered by GEMA’s existing agreements with the platforms.

For the licensing of paid livestreams, please contact kontakt@gema.de. Revenue that enables or requires access to the stream may be relevant when calculating the licence fee and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.