Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear GVL rights holders,
Reliability is not only evident when the broader conditions are stable. It becomes particularly important when markets and usage patterns are in flux. This is especially true of the creative and cultural sectors today. It is precisely within this highly dynamic industry environment that GVL works on behalf of performers and music companies.
One thing remains constant: music, films and TV series shape the everyday lives of many people. They create atmosphere, foster connections and bring cultural diversity to life. This special value of creative works also has great economic significance. To ensure that this inherent monetary value is properly recognised, we need fair tariffs, accurate data and people who take responsibility.
This is at the heart of our work: effectively managing neighbouring rights and reliably distributing remuneration – whilst making the process as straightforward as possible for both rights holders and users.
A sound financial basis for predictable distributions
In 2025, GVL was once again able to continue this work from a position of strength: in the past financial year, revenue stood at 258 million euros, slightly above the previous year’s level, whilst costs were reduced. As a result, new record levels were achieved in some areas of the regular distributions during the reporting year. In a market environment that is undergoing noticeable change, this is a welcome result.
For our rights holders, this means one thing above all: distributions they can count on, and a GVL that consistently safeguards their rights even under challenging conditions.
Expansion of the digital infrastructure
Today’s licensing agreements are tomorrow’s remuneration. To take this simple fact into account, in 2025 we invested in the digital infrastructure for our users with the aim of making the operational processing of licences even faster, more efficient and more cost-effective.
In 2025, lizenz.gvl was launched – the first dedicated GVL portal for licencees, alongside my.gvl and label.gvl. Private radio companies and web radio operators are already using it, with further licensing areas set to follow in stages. lizenz.gvl brings together key licensing steps in one place – a step forward that will pay dividends in the future.
AI as a challenge and a tool
With the rise of generative AI, a key question is becoming increasingly pressing for many creatives and their industry partners: how can they continue to benefit from the use of their work in the future? Increasingly, artistic works are being used to train or power AI systems without the creators receiving a fair share of the proceeds. We are therefore working side by side with our rights holders to ensure that creative works remain protected and can be monetised even in the age of AI.
At the same time, we at GVL are actively exploring the practical applications of AI. This is not about technology for its own sake, but about supporting our staff in their day-to-day work and further improving the services we offer our rights holders. After all, the higher the quality of data that can be processed, checked and utilised, and the more seamlessly processes are integrated, the more accurately we can prepare distributions, provide information and further develop our services.
Responsibility for cultural diversity
For us, our remit does not end with the payout of remuneration. As part of the cultural sector, we want to help promote diversity, shape change prudently and ensure sustainable conditions for creative work. Our committees, which were newly elected during the reporting year, also reflected this diversity.
We are setting out for the first time how we are further developing this commitment as an organisation in the report “Sustainability at GVL”, which is due to be published in the coming days.
A vibrant cultural landscape does not exist in a vacuum. It needs people who can work creatively, and structures that support this work. This, too, is what GVL stands for.
Yours
Guido Evers & Tilo Gerlach
