- “Außerordentliches Mitglied”
Almost all my fellow composers (aged between 30 and 45) are außerordentliche Mitglieder and can’t vote because our income from GEMA hasn’t exceeded 30,000 euros in the past five years. And yes, in theory, we can vote for “Delegierten” and let them represent us, but why are we treated differently? - Scores for GEMA
Many composers write scores only for GEMA. Especially in live coding, generative music, interactive systems, or fixed media, scores aren’t necessary to perform or understand our pieces. But to be recognized as “E-Musik,” we have to make them. Personally, I agree that E or U is not a good way to categorize music. But the newly proposed KUK is even worse. - Our accounts are in the minus
Almost all my fellow composers and I have negative balances in our GEMA accounts—what we earn doesn’t even cover the membership fee. - We didn’t join GEMA for the money
We joined GEMA to release physical media like CDs and vinyl; to prove our status as musicians to immigration authorities; because venues need GEMA information to pay us… We never expected to make money from GEMA. But we can’t avoid it either, because it’s everywhere in the German music industry. - Go to Munich to vote?
I don’t understand this, and I can’t afford a trip to Munich. Even government elections can be done by post or at a local polling station—why is voting in GEMA so complicated? - “Für Nachwuchs”
GEMA claims the reform is for young people (under 31). But the opinions of young people have never been considered. - Point system
The KUK and its point system came out of nowhere. I’m tired of “collecting points”—it feels like we’re stuck in middle school. Most of the criteria make no sense: a piece’s value depends on where it’s performed or what language the lyrics are in, not on how much work went into it. - I don’t write orchestra pieces
I’m old, unestablished, and don’t write “serious” music (at least according to GEMA). Even though this reform mainly affects classical composers, it still doesn’t work for me. I’ve been excluded from the conversation, and I don’t support a system established without diverse perspectives, by a small group that doesn’t represent today’s composers. - I earn more from Spotify than from GEMA
Today, commercial music platforms are important parts of the music industry, and they are influential in music distribution. GEMA shouldn’t be against them, but should complement them, especially by taking care of legal responsibilities like copyright protection in Germany, which international companies can’t handle.
What is happening?
GEMA Reform info (Top22a is the most relevant one):
https://www.gema.de/de/musikurheber/mitgliederversammlung/infomaterial
Who can vote at GEMA?
https://www.gema.de/de/w/hilfe/musikurheber/mitgliedschaft/bereits-mitglied/formen-der-mitgliedschaft
You can’t vote but still want to do something?
Here is an email address to write to: reformvorhaben2025@gema.de
You can also protest at the meeting for “außerordendliche Mitgelieder” on the 13th if showing up there is not too humiliating for you (this one has online access).
But it’s also ok to just wait and see.
Dong Zhou 
Hello !
Well, well, well. I don’t fully agree with what you posted even if I understand your frustration.
I’m going to explain my viewpoint.
As you know I’m also a composer and musician but I never became a member of the GEMA or else (SABAM, etc.) because most of them are just thieves whose goal is to make money, not support musicians unless they are big and famous (and bring more cash)- that’s my view.
You say : “Almost all my fellow composers and I have negative balances in our GEMA accounts—what we earn doesn’t even cover the membership fee.”
You’re not the only composer/musician I know who tells that hence I’m surprised you all joined.
You say : “We joined GEMA to release physical media like CDs and vinyl”
There’s no need to do that. If they managed to convince you that it is a necessity, well, you’ve been ripped off.
My music has been published on about 50 CDs and vinyls without the need to be a member of the GEMA, even for the German productions.
“to prove our status as musicians to immigration authorities;”
That part, I understand and it’s a sad fact that proves again and again that the German society is stuck in a long distant past.
“because venues need GEMA information to pay us…”
Not true. I always get paid without being a GEMA member.
Venues have to fill in a form and get robbed by the GEMA that might repay a percentage to you eventually if and only if you are a member. If not, the GEMA has no right to tax the venue for your concert, you fill in the form and tell you’re not a member, that’s it.
“We never expected to make money from GEMA. But we can’t avoid it either, because it’s everywhere in the German music industry.”
I know more musicians who aren’t at the GEMA than musicians registered at it… We always avoided it.
“I don’t understand this, and I can’t afford a trip to Munich. Even government elections can be done by post or at a local polling station—why is voting in GEMA so complicated?”
Because nothing is simple in Germany, because it’s not democratic, because they live in the 19th century ?
“GEMA claims the reform is for young people (under 31). But the opinions of young people have never been considered.”
Indeed, they don’t care, that’s obvious since forever.
Sad reality, my comment won’t help you but I’m really happy to not have to deal with this mafia. 🙂
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Hi! Thanks for the comment and sorry for the late reply.
About the CDs, my experience was that if you want to produce CDs in Germany, they will need proof that you informed GEMA about the production. If you produce the CDs outside of Germany then it’s not a problem.
About the venue (theatres), I met some cases that they have a budget to pay GEMA. If I’m not a GEMA member, I don’t get this part of the money (although now I still don’t get it because it’s not higher than the membership fee).
Even in the offices, if you earn a lot of money, they don’t care whether you’re a GEMA member.
So I agree with you that we can avoid GEMA if we research things thoroughly. But it’s not easy. I wish I had known GEMA’s mafia side earlier.
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