Christian Schneider couldn't believe his ears: 19.60 euros - plus copyright fees and VAT - is what the chairman of the Kremperheide Horse and Recreational Sports Club is supposed to pay to GEMA - because a dozen children and teenagers had sung folk songs by the campfire. The Society for Musical Performance and Mechanical Reproduction Rights also threatened Schneider with deadlines and penalties.
The reason for the GEMA initiative was likely the public announcement of a youth disco by the club. However, at the request of the young people, a dance event was ultimately abandoned. Instead, a bivouac was organized. The guests sat on straw bales around a campfire at the club's grounds on Lehmsweg. During this, one of the participants pulled out a guitar - and then a few songs were sung.
Shortly thereafter, Schneider received a letter from GEMA - with a threat of penalties and a questionnaire. He then called the society to clarify the actual course of the event. "They said that songs that were not self-composed were sung and that fees were due for that." Regarding another suggestion from GEMA, Schneider can only shake his head: "We were supposed to charge one euro admission per person at every event. That would roughly cover the fees." The three euro contribution for the bivouac barely sufficed to finance food and drinks, Schneider adds. After all, he and his club are only trying to offer a meaningful leisure activity for the youth in the community. Among other things, the club, which was only founded last year, also organizes crafting afternoons. "We probably won't even be allowed to play the radio in the future," Schneider is outraged. He would have shown some understanding for GEMA fees at a disco night. But not for a few songs that were only meant to strengthen the sense of community. "That's pretty outrageous," Schneider thinks. In any case, he does not intend to pay the fees.
Source: Schleswig-Holsteinischer Zeitungsverlag
The reason for the GEMA initiative was likely the public announcement of a youth disco by the club. However, at the request of the young people, a dance event was ultimately abandoned. Instead, a bivouac was organized. The guests sat on straw bales around a campfire at the club's grounds on Lehmsweg. During this, one of the participants pulled out a guitar - and then a few songs were sung.
Shortly thereafter, Schneider received a letter from GEMA - with a threat of penalties and a questionnaire. He then called the society to clarify the actual course of the event. "They said that songs that were not self-composed were sung and that fees were due for that." Regarding another suggestion from GEMA, Schneider can only shake his head: "We were supposed to charge one euro admission per person at every event. That would roughly cover the fees." The three euro contribution for the bivouac barely sufficed to finance food and drinks, Schneider adds. After all, he and his club are only trying to offer a meaningful leisure activity for the youth in the community. Among other things, the club, which was only founded last year, also organizes crafting afternoons. "We probably won't even be allowed to play the radio in the future," Schneider is outraged. He would have shown some understanding for GEMA fees at a disco night. But not for a few songs that were only meant to strengthen the sense of community. "That's pretty outrageous," Schneider thinks. In any case, he does not intend to pay the fees.
Source: Schleswig-Holsteinischer Zeitungsverlag
