Important: This information is only relevant for you if you participated in sound recordings with a buy-out contract in the years 1963 to 1972. Sound recordings from later years will become relevant at later dates. We will inform you about this separately.
Extension of the term of protection - What is that?
In 2013, the German Copyright Act extended the protection for sound recordings from 50 to 70 years by inserting a new Section 79a UrhG. Without this extension, older music titles would have become public domain and could be used without remuneration. Artists with buy-out contracts are to receive an economic share of the proceeds from sales or digital uses such as streaming or downloading by the producers of sound carriers during the extended protection period. This is done via GVL.
From which recording year does the extended protection period apply?
The law applies to sound recordings whose term of protection for performers and producers had not expired on November 1, 2013 or was created after that date, i.e. to repertoire from 1963 onwards.
To which recordings does this apply?
Affected are recordings in which one or more studio musicians or other musicians (including featured performers or orchestral musicians) participated, who were remunerated at that time by way of a one-time payment (buy-out contract).
How do I find and recognize the productions in question in my.gvl?
In the Product Search, a separate filter is available to display products with §79a uses. For identification purposes, the titles in question bear a paragraph symbol ("§"). If you have not yet submitted a participation report, simply submit it as usual. If you have already reported your participations, a new report is not necessary.
How long do I have to report my participations in the repertoire from 1963 to 1972?
You can report your participations until the 31st of January 2025.
When will the first distribution take place?
In the first half of 2022, funds for productions with extended protection periods have been distributed for the first time. This involved productions that generated relevant revenues in 2014 and 2015. The distribution of proceeds from 2016-2018 took place in the first quarter of 2023.
We will inform you in advance about the further procedure, e.g. new reporting options in the portal, in due time.
What about productions from later years that also fall within the extended protection period?
We will inform you in advance about the further procedure, e.g. new reporting options in the portal, in due time.
Do you have questions?
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