Gema Fees for Events in Thuringia: Associations Must Wait for State Support
Introduction:
Associations in Thuringia, Germany, must remain patient as the state government contemplates assuming the responsibility of Gema fees for events. The current agreement with Gema, which manages musical copyrights, has expired, and negotiations for a new contract are ongoing.
Timeline for New Contract:
The Thuringian State Chancellery aims to implement the new contract with Gema upon the enactment of the 2025 budget. This means that the agreement is unlikely to be finalized in time for the numerous carnival and Fasching events currently taking place in the state. The budget is not expected to be approved until April or May at the earliest.
Previous Contract Limitations:
In the previous blanket agreement with Gema, which expired in 2024, events that charged admission were not covered by the state’s fee assumption. The specific regulations of the new contract are currently being negotiated.
Role of Gema:
Gema is a state-approved trustee that represents the rights of music creators. It facilitates the purchase of music usage rights and distributes license fees to over 80,000 composers, lyricists, and music publishers in Germany, as well as more than a million rights holders internationally. Music must always be licensed when used publicly.
State’s Intentions:
According to the State Chancellery, the new contract with Gema is intended to have a longer duration than just 2025. State Chancellery Chief Stefan Gruhner (CDU) stated that this would provide associations with greater planning certainty. The government intends to promote the contract to ensure that associations are aware of the support available.
Financial Provisions:
The Voluntary Service Act stipulates that up to €500,000 can be allocated annually for the Gema blanket agreement. The law came into effect in January. However, the contract cannot be concluded until the budget is approved.
Previous Support:
In 2024, an agreement with Gema was in place, providing €325,000 for six months. This funding served as a type of contingency fund from which Gema fees for association events were covered. Last year, 529 associations in Thuringia benefited from the fee assumption.
Rationale for State Support:
The State Chancellery cites the importance of volunteer-led associations in maintaining social cohesion in Thuringia as the primary reason for the state’s assumption of Gema fees.
Hessian Model under Consideration:
For the new agreement, the state intends to consider adopting the "Hessian model." This model also provides direct financial support to federations of volunteer organizations that have their own blanket agreement with Gema.
Conclusion:
Associations in Thuringia will need to exercise patience as negotiations for a new Gema agreement continue. The state government’s commitment to supporting volunteer-led organizations in this regard is evident, but the implementation of a new contract remains subject to budgetary considerations and ongoing discussions with Gema.
