Music fees - "Day of Silence" at Christmas markets
The Christmas markets in Magdeburg and Quedlinburg are taking part in a protest campaign against higher music fees. On Monday (December 4), there will be no music at the Christmas market between 10.00 and 15.00, announced Paul-Gerhard Stieger, managing director of the Magdeburg Christmas market, on Saturday. In addition to the two cities in Saxony-Anhalt, other cities such as Leipzig, Dresden, Hanover, Rostock and others are also taking part.
The operators of the Christmas markets criticize the fact that the rights for the use of music have increased drastically in some cases. "This has drastic consequences for the market organizers," said Stieger. "Stage programs with local choirs can no longer be financed."
Gema, the administrator of the music rights, defends itself against the accusations. The basis for assessment has remained the same since 2011. "Some large, high-turnover markets have reported areas that are clearly too small," said Gema board member Georg Oeller. Gema had not checked the total area of the markets until 2022, but had relied on the conscientious and correct registration of the Christmas market operators in recent years.
According to Gema, it has sent around 3,350 invoices to Christmas market operators across Germany for 2022. In 167 cases, there were higher fees, in 35 cases even in the five-digit range. According to the operator, the costs in Magdeburg had risen from around 1750 euros before the coronavirus pandemic to more than 101,000 euros now. Gema-free music will therefore be used for the stage program this year.
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Source: www.stern.de
