GEMA

Anyone who plays music in public automatically has legal obligations. Licensing music is not an optional step in Germany - it is a legal requirement. This guide explains how music licensing works, which collecting societies are relevant, what types of licences there are - and how you as a company can keep things as simple as possible.

Find out why playing Spotify in commercial premises is strictly prohibited, the financial risks posed by GEMA surcharges, and how to legally and professionally play music in your establishment using legal B2B music services.

Clubs have to register almost every public music playback with GEMA - but thanks to state exemptions (including Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony and Thuringia), the DOSB general agreement and a smart hybrid strategy with GEMA-free music, costs and effort can be significantly reduced. As a partner, sonicsense offers legally compliant, professionally curated GEMA-free channels with seamless documentation, so that clubs can save up to % of GEMA fees and plan reliably.

The smell of freshly baked crêpes, the laughter of children, the twinkling of fairy lights - and the sound of festive Christmas music in the background. This atmosphere makes the Christmas market what it is: a place of cosiness and enjoyment. But while many crêpe stall owners start thinking about their product range, decorations and stall rental fees as early as October, it's not always easy.

Music creates atmosphere, but costs money: Read why pharmacies are subject to GEMA, which fees will apply in 2025 and how you can save money with sonicsense.

Music creates atmosphere, but it costs money: Read how GEMA will charge in 2026, what fees pubs can expect, and how you can save hard cash with professional GEMA-free alternatives.