Would you like to cancel your GEMA licence? The notice period depends on your contract type: monthly, quarterly and annual contracts have different termination dates. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step for all three options and provide you with a ready-to-copy template.
The most important facts in brief
- Types of contract: GEMA licence agreements run monthly, quarterly, or annually. The termination period depends on the chosen option.
- Annual contract 6 weeks to the end of the year (entry by 19 November at the latest)
- Quarterly contract 6 weeks to the end of the quarter (31.03., 30.06., 30.09., 31.12.)
- Monthly contract cancelable monthly, contracts concluded from 01.03.2022 after minimum term at the end of the month
- Form in text form with handwritten signature
- Shipping Registered mail with return receipt recommended
- Confirmation Request and archive written confirmation of termination
- Special cases: Extraordinary termination due to business closure, insolvency or change of use
GEMA notice period: Three types of contract, three deadlines
The GEMA offers its licence agreements in three term variants: monthly, quarterly and annually. The notice period that applies to you depends on which option you have chosen. You will always find the exact terms and conditions in your individual contract or in the associated GEMA tariff overview.
Annual contract (fixed-price contract with annual advance payment)
The annual contract binds you for at least one year and then automatically renews for a further year each time. The notice period is 6 weeks to the end of the year.. Your notice of termination must be received no later than 19th November of a year must be received by GEMA so that the contract ends on 31 December of the same year. If notice of termination is received after this date, the contract is automatically extended for a further calendar year. In return for this commitment, you will receive a discount of typically 16.67% compared to the monthly contract.
Quarterly contract (quarterly term)
With a quarterly contract, the contract runs for three months at a time and automatically extends for a further quarter. The notice period is usually 6 weeks to the end of the quarter.. The four quarterly reporting dates are decisive 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December. Compared to the monthly contract, GEMA typically offers a discount of 8.33%.
Monthly contract (monthly term)
The monthly contract is the most flexible option. Contracts that since 1 March 2022 have been concluded, are, after the expiry of the minimum contract term, in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Fair Consumer Contracts cancelable monthly at the end of the month, without a long notice period. For older contracts, there is often still a notice period of 3 months to the end of the month. As the GEMA does not offer a discount for this variant, the monthly contract is the most expensive option from an economic perspective.
Deadlines and key dates at a glance
| Type of contract | Notice period | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Annual contract | 6 weeks to the end of the year | Entry by 19th November at the latest, contract end 31st December |
| Quarterly contract | 6 weeks to the end of the quarter | Submission no later than 6 weeks before 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December. |
| Monthly contract (commencing 01.03.2022) | monthly, no long term | after the minimum term, at any time at the end of the month |
| Monthly contract (older agreement) | 3 months to the end of the month | 3 full months before the desired contract end |
Example: Deadlines for the annual contract
| Receipt of termination | End of contract |
|---|---|
| until 19 November 2026 | 31 December 2026 |
| 20 November to 31 December 2026 | 31 December 2027 |
| until 19 November 2027 | 31 December 2027 |
Crucially, the Receipt of termination at GEMA, not the postmark. Allow at least 3 to 5 working days for postal delivery and send the termination by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt to prove delivery. For quarterly or monthly contracts, an even larger buffer is recommended, as the next deadline may be only a few weeks away.
Step-by-step: Terminating your GEMA contract
With the following six steps, you can terminate your GEMA contract legally and on time. Have all your documents ready before you begin.
Seek yours Customer number, the contract start date, the exact contract description and, above all, the Runtime variant (monthly, quarterly or annually). You can find this information on your last bill, your contract confirmation or in your online account.
While Annual contract calculate 6 weeks before 31 December (entry by 19 November at the latest). Quarterly contract 6 weeks before the end of the next quarter (31.03., 30.06., 30.09., 31.12.). When Monthly contract Usually, monthly termination at the end of the month is sufficient. Always allow for postal delivery time.
Please continue to use the sample text below. Mandatory details include sender information, GEMA address, customer number, clear declaration of termination, contract end date, and signature.
Only then will you have a robust Proof of access. Alternatively, shipping by email with read receipt to kontakt@gema.de is recommended.
GEMA must send you written confirmation of termination. Store this permanently along with the registered mail receipt.
The contract continues until the actual end of the contract (end of month, quarter or year). Pay any outstanding invoices and arrange the switch to a GEMA-free solution in good time before the contract ends.
Sample text: GEMA cancellation letter
The following sample text covers all legally required details and can be used for Monthly, quarterly and annual contracts use. Replace the placeholders in square brackets with your own details. For the target date, enter the next month-end, quarter-end or year-end, depending on the type of contract. For an extraordinary termination, attach the proof (e.g. business deregistration) as an appendix.
Terminate extraordinarily (e.g. on cessation of business), replace the subject with „Extraordinary termination due to [reason]" and attach the relevant proof as an appendix.
Special cases: When you can terminate exceptionally
In addition to ordinary termination at the end of the next month, quarter or year, there are situations in which you can terminate the GEMA contract extraordinary and without notice can be terminated. This requires demonstrable grounds for termination.
Business closure and trade deregistration
When you permanently cease operations, the basis for the GEMA contract also ends. Proof is provided via the Business deregistration at the responsible trade office. Enclose a copy of the resignation deregistration.
Insolvency
When insolvency proceedings have been opened, the insolvency administrator can terminate ongoing contracts (§ 103 InsO). A resolution by the insolvency court serves as proof.
Fusion or takeover
The contractual basis changes on merger, sale or takeover of the business. In many cases, there is a special right of termination, especially if the company's object changes.
Change of Use
If no music is publicly played in your establishment anymore (e.g. a pure online retailer without a physical shop), GEMA obligations no longer apply. A termination of contract is also possible here if the original use case no longer exists.
Price increase above the acceptable limit
If GEMA unilaterally increases its tariffs and thereby exceeds the limit of what is reasonable, there is a special right of termination. An individual case assessment by a specialist lawyer is advisable here, as the legal situation is complex.
Please do not stop payments on your own initiative before GEMA has confirmed the cancellation in writing. Otherwise, you risk late payment fees, interest on arrears, and in the worst-case scenario, debt collection proceedings.
Forced termination by GEMA: What's behind it?
From 2024/25, GEMA will be converting its entire customer service digitalisation of processes In this context, GEMA has unilaterally digitised existing contracts and requested existing customers to communicate exclusively via the online customer portal. Affected companies are speaking of a „digital forced termination".
What is „digital forced termination"?
According to customer reports, GEMA is refusing to accept written cancellations via email, fax, or post. Cancellations are to be submitted exclusively through the online customer portal. Those who do not have portal access or have lost their login details will effectively lose access to their contract management – including the option to cancel.
Legal assessment
After § 309 no. 13 BGB (General Terms and Conditions Law) terminations may not be made subject to excessive formal requirements. An exclusive restriction to a proprietary customer portal can represent exactly that – especially if portal access is disrupted or login details are missing. The Federal Court of Justice has repeatedly made it clear that contract terminations must be possible with little effort. In comparable cases, providers have been ordered to allow alternative termination methods.
What to do if you are affected?
- Submit termination in written form additionally: Send by e-mail with read receipt and by registered post with acknowledgment of receipt simultaneously.
- Save documentation: Archive shipping confirmations, screenshots of failed login attempts, and email correspondence without gaps.
- Emphasise the right to terminate in your writing, explicitly refer to § 127 BGB (text form) and § 309 No. 13 BGB (general terms and conditions control).
- Request confirmation of termination with a deadline, 14 days are usual. If confirmation is not received, follow up and document again.
- Seek legal advice In the event of disputes, it is advisable to seek advice from a lawyer specialising in general terms and conditions and copyright law.
Your rights at a glance
- Termination in written form (letter, email) remains legally permissible.
- No exclusive cancellation route via a digital portal.
- Entitlement to written confirmation of termination.
- Right to inspect the contract documents.
- Right to complain to the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) as the supervisory authority of GEMA.
After cancellation: How to legally avoid GEMA fees
When the contract ends, so does the right to publicly play music that requires GEMA fees in your business. If you wish to continue using background music, you have three legally secure options to GEMA fees to avoid permanently.
Royalty-free music services (sonicEASY)
Specialised B2B music services such as sonicEASY from Sonicsense offer GEMA-free music for commercial use. The titles are not from the GEMA repertoire, so no GEMA fees apply. You will receive a certificate for your records and can play music legally immediately.
2. Royalty-free music libraries
Alternatively, tracks can be licensed individually from royalty-free libraries. This option is flexible but more labour-intensive than an all-in-one service and is best suited for small usage volumes or individual projects.
3. No more music
The third option is to completely forgo music in the business. While this option is free, the absence of music can noticeably affect atmosphere, dwell time, and revenue in many industries. Therefore, consider whether a Royalty-free solution for your business is not the economically better choice.
Looking for a royalty-free solution?
Continue playing music legally and securely immediately after termination, with personal advice from sonicsense.
Request a consultation nowFrequently asked questions about GEMA termination
What contract durations does GEMA offer?
GEMA offers three types of licence agreement: monthly, quarterly and annual. The annual agreement is the cheapest (around a 16.67% discount), the quarterly agreement is in between (around an 8.33% discount) and the monthly agreement is the most expensive but also the most flexible option.
Six weeks
The notice period depends on your contract type. For an annual contract, there is a 6-week notice period at the end of the year (receipt by 19th November at the latest). For quarterly contracts, there is generally a 6-week notice period at the end of the quarter. For monthly contracts, termination is possible at the end of the month, and for contracts from 1st March 2022, even without a long notice period after the minimum term.
Which deadline applies to a GEMA monthly contract?
Monthly contracts concluded since 1 March 2022 can be terminated monthly at the end of the month after the minimum term has expired, without a long notice period. For older monthly contracts, a notice period of three months to the end of the month often still applies. The individual contract terms are decisive.
When do I need to cancel a GEMA quarterly contract?
For quarterly contracts, notice of termination must usually be received six weeks before the end of the next quarter. The cut-off dates are 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December. Additionally, plan for postal delivery buffer time.
Do I need to cancel GEMA in writing?
Yes. The termination should be in writing, most safely by registered mail with return receipt. Additionally, it is recommended to terminate by email with read receipt and to keep all proof of postage.
Can I terminate the GEMA contract exceptionally upon business closure?
Yes. In the event of business closure, insolvency, or deregistration of a trade, there is a right to extraordinary termination. Enclose the deregistration of trade with your notice of termination as proof to end the contractual relationship promptly.
Is GEMA's digital compulsory termination lawful?
The requirement to submit terminations only via the GEMA online portal is legally controversial. According to Section 309 No. 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB), terminations may not be subject to excessive formal requirements. A termination in text form by letter or email remains permissible.
What happens after termination with GEMA?
Upon receipt of your termination, you will receive written confirmation from GEMA. Ongoing obligations must be fulfilled until the end of the contract. After that, you may no longer publicly play music subject to GEMA fees unless a new contract is in place.
Can I continue to play music in the company after terminating the GEMA contract?
Yes, but only with GEMA-free music. Alternatives include specialised streaming services like sonicEASY, royalty-free music libraries, or forgoing music entirely. Legally compliant use of GEMA-copyrighted music without a contract is not possible.
What is the digital compulsory termination by GEMA?
Digital mandatory termination refers to the practice by which GEMA has unilaterally switched existing customers to purely digital contract processes in 2024/25. According to GEMA, anyone who refuses access to the online portal risks having their contract terminated.
How do I find my GEMA customer number for cancellation?
You can find your GEMA customer number on your latest invoice, your contract confirmation, or in any previous correspondence with GEMA. Without your customer number, your cancellation cannot be clearly assigned.
Please note: This post does not replace individual legal advice. For complex contractual matters, you should consult a lawyer specializing in terms and conditions and copyright law.
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