GEMA is responsible for the use and performance of the vast majority of music in Germany. It ensures that artists receive the royalties due to them for their works. However, schools have a special status that greatly simplifies the use of music.

Like almost all Hessian school authorities, the state capital of Wiesbaden has concluded a flat-rate contract with GEMA. The fees that the city pays to GEMA mean that all public performances of music subject to GEMA are already paid for! Schools are even allowed to charge an entrance fee or contribution towards expenses of up to 2.60 euros for an event. If you need more money to cover the costs, you must find alternative ways to do so, such as catering or donation boxes.

Events organized by one or more schools, the support associations and the SV are covered. The event must take place at the own expense and in the own name of the aforementioned. Events organized by third parties on school premises are not covered.

You only have to submit a list of titles to the GEMA regional office in Wiesbaden afterwards in the case of live performances. A summarized list per quarter may be sufficient. No track list is required for other forms of music performances.

The blanket agreement with GEMA only regulates the use of music outside the classroom. This is because teachers generally do not require separate permission for use within the classroom. According to the legal opinion of the state of Hesse, renditions in class and course groups are generally not public renditions and are therefore quasi-private. Therefore, no permission is required and no usage fee is due.

Apart from the limits mentioned above, the contract does not give you the right to upload music to the internet, for example to your school website or to platforms such as YouTube. If this is desired, you should stick to GEMA-free music, for which there are free sources. The media education team at the media center will be happy to advise you if required.