MP3 and the GEMA (for Germans)

Yesterday I played at a local club on a students' party. I told the responsible person who booked me in advance that I would use my lappy and he said this wouldn't be much of a problem. When I arrived an hour before the party should start, I met the owner of the club and he told me it was 'illegal' to use a laptop and the GEMA would charge from 5000 up to 50000 EUR if they catched a club using burned CDs or a computer, which would be the same in their eyes. Then, after he talked to his partner he had to reveal all of this and said the situation was different. Now, if the GEMA would catch them/us, the club would have to pay a third of their regular monthly fee on top.
I am a little confused about the legal situation.
Can anyone solve this?

Regards,
burn

 

huh? AFAIK the location pays every month a standarized fee, whatever music medium you use.

of course, your data should be legal, though...

 

The easiest way to get the true information about this is to call the GEMA in Berlin directly. They are helpful in answering questions like this.

As a personal opinion I would say it was bullshit what the owner of the clubs were talking about.

It should be no difference to perform in public with CD's, Vinyl or any digital source. The GEMA is charging for performing the music itself and not for which media will be used.

But as said it is just a personal feeling, so better asking them personally.

chris

 

Sure, the sources have to be legal which they are of course in my case (i.e. ripped from CDs or vynil I own by myself). But I wonder how the GEMA can judge, if a source is legal as they are more and more legal online mp3 sources as beatport coming up where you don't get any physical product one could show the inspectors. I guess I really should call them as you suggest.
Regards,
burn

 

make sure to update us on the outcome of your phonecall - i'd be interested in what the "official" stand on this ridiculous topic is. i mean, if i paid for it, i want to be able to play it without hassle; this drm stuff really starts to go mir auf den sack (yes, those 4 words are german )

cheers, h00la

 

Word! Here's my update from the owner: The club has to 'upgrade' its contract with the GEMA - i.e. slightly higher fees - to be allowed to play music in MP3 format, but I will definately let this be confirmed by the officials themselves, because I still don't believe this crap. Stay tuned.

Update: I just talked to a person at GEMA and she told me, the owner of the club has to extend his contract by the so called 'Vervielfätigungsrecht', that's it.

Regards,
burn

 

thank you, burn, for sharing this!

 

Welcome. Maybe you at NI could also add some information to this matter? Especially regarding the cooperation with beatport. One question is left: If one of the GEMA 'agents' should ever see a DJ using Traktor and playing some tracks downloaded from beatport or other online shops, how could he prove legality? Show him the credit card receipt? I think there is still a big legal gap. What do you think?
Regards,
burn

 

here the official gema-site (in german):

http://www.gema.de/kunden/information_service/disk_jockeys.shtml

gretz
anthony

ps. tfs 2 nothing but a big rip-off!!!!!!!!!!!!
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(954) 689-8833

i love tdj 2.5.3 btw.

 

Thanks anthony! Now I'm sure I'm on the 'good' side.
Regards,
burn