GEMA-free means: no fees apply for the composition — for what someone wrote.
GVL-free means: no fees apply for the recording either — for what the musicians and studio made of it.
For music free of fees in a company, you need both. If one is missing, a remainder stays open.
Why there are two rights
People with very different roles work on a single piece of music. German law therefore distinguishes two groups — and each has its own organization that collects its money.
Who's behind it
- Composer
- Lyricist
- Music publisher
Protects the idea: the melody, the harmonies, the lyrics — the work as it stands on the sheet music.
Who's behind it
- Musicians and singers
- Record producer
- Producer, label
Protects the recording: the actual performance captured in the studio — in other words, what you actually hear.
An example makes it tangible: if a string quartet records a piece by Beethoven, the composition has long been in the public domain — Beethoven has been dead for over 200 years, so nothing is owed for the work. The recording of 2024, however, is freshly protected. Anyone who plays it in a store is using the performance of the musicians and the label. That's exactly what the GVL is responsible for.
The reverse applies as well: a current pop song can be re-recorded by a cover band. In that case, the recording is new, but the composition remains protected — the GEMA stays in the picture.
Why hardly anyone notices this
This is the real reason for the confusion: a business usually receives only one invoice — from GEMA. The GVL doesn't appear on it as the sender. That's because, for public performance, the GVL has transferred the collection of its royalties to GEMA. So GEMA collects the payment and passes on the share.
lyrics, publisher
label, studio
Simplified illustration. The GVL share is calculated as a percentage surcharge on the GEMA tariff and does not appear as a separate line item for the business.
Because both end up on a single invoice, it creates the impression that there's only one entity involved. Anyone using music that is "royalty-free" naturally assumes that this covers everything. That's the misconception that can turn out to be costly.
What happens if only GEMA is cleared?
"Royalty-free" only means: this track is not registered with GEMA. It says nothing about the recording. If the musicians involved or the record producer are registered with GVL, their claim to compensation still applies — regardless of the fact that nothing is due for the composition.
The middle line is the point here. At first glance it looks like the one below — but it isn't. That's why it's worth asking every provider: Is the music also GVL-free, and can that be confirmed in writing?
How do I know both are really covered?
Three questions are enough to size up a provider. They cost one email and can save a lot of trouble.
Is the GVL explicitly mentioned?
Anyone who just writes "GEMA-free" or "royalty-free" may never have checked the second half. A clear statement about the GVL is a good sign.
Is this available in writing?
A confirmation you can produce on request is worth more than an ad line. It's exactly what's needed if questions come up.
Does it apply to everyone involved?
The freedom must extend contractually to composers and performers. Otherwise it doesn't hold up.
What to do if GEMA asks?
Performing rights organizations initially assume that any music played belongs to their catalog — this is known as the GEMA presumption. This isn't an accusation, it's the standard procedure: the burden of proof lies with the business. Anyone who can show that the music used is registered with neither GEMA nor GVL is on the safe side.
In practice, this means having two things on hand — a confirmation of GEMA and GVL exemption and, on request, a track list (cue sheet) showing which pieces were played and who they're from. SIDtunez provides both free of charge on request — the track list is generated automatically by the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is royalty-free music automatically GVL-free as well?
No. "Royalty-free" refers only to the composition. Whether GVL claims exist for the recording is a separate question — it depends on whether the musicians involved and the record producer are registered there. Both must be clarified individually.
What exactly is the GVL responsible for?
The GVL administers the related rights of performing artists and record producers — that is, the rights to the specific recording. These are based on the statutory remuneration claims under German copyright law when recordings are broadcast or publicly performed.
Will I receive a separate invoice from the GVL?
Usually not. For public performance, the GVL has transferred collection to GEMA. The GVL share is calculated as a surcharge on the GEMA tariff and collected with the same invoice. That's why many businesses don't even notice they're paying for two different rights.
Does this also apply to music in videos and commercials?
The principle is the same: there are always two levels, the composition and the recording. In a production, however, there's an additional right involved — the right to combine music with picture, known as the synchronization right. With a buyout license, this is included.
What about music from a personal streaming subscription?
Private subscriptions explicitly permit private use only. Under the providers' terms of use, they are not permitted for business premises — regardless of the GEMA and GVL question. More on this in the article GVL-Free Streaming Radio for Businesses.
In short
Music has two layers of protection: the composition (GEMA) and the recording (GVL). Because both fees are collected on a single invoice, it feels like one thing — and "royalty-free" sounds like the whole solution. But it's only half of it.
Anyone using music in a business should therefore ask about both and get both confirmed. At SIDtunez, that's exactly the standard: the music is royalty-free and GVL-free, contractually secured all the way to composers and performers — with proof available on request.
Clarify once. Then relax.
Royalty-free and GVL-free, with proof on hand just in case — for video productions as well as for music in business.