Boosting the Buzz at Potsdam's Christmas Market with Gema-Free Tunes
Eschewing Gema fees, the Potsdam Christmas market plans to blast only Gema-free tunes this holiday season. A spokesperson from AG Innenstadt confirmed the news on Wednesday, adding that they had obtained the licensing years ago and assured they were Gema-free music after consulting with the society. A local ensemble, especially commissioned for the event, will play these old-school tracks.
With the music licensing fees increasing, several organizers announced their intention to stick to Gema-free tunes. One such location is Brandenburg (Havel) Christmas market. Lamenting the loss of modern holiday favorites like "Jingle Bells" and "Last Christmas," the AG Innenstadt spokesperson promised Christmas carols like "Stille Nacht," "Oh du Fröhliche," and "Oh Tannenbaum."
Germany's cities had voiced their concerns about high music collecting society Gema bills in recent times. Gema reported that approximately 35 cities grappled with drastically increased invoices last year. Despite the consistent tariffs and charges, the music collecting society reassured that the recent fees were a result of a thorough re-evaluation of usage areas.
The Potsdam event area covers Luisenplatz and Brandenburger Straße, which could equate to an estimated 20,000 euros in Gema fees. The retail trade wasn't spared either, with AG Innenstadt spokesperson revealing their prior purchase of music to skirt around these charges.
Shying away from festive favorites such as "Jingle Bells" and "Last Christmas," the Potsdam market will feature traditional, Gema-free versions of songs like "Stille Nacht" and "Oh Tannenbaum." Cutting costs is a priority during the holiday season, enabling organizers to divert resources to other aspects that make the market so special – like culinary delights, decorations, and entertainment.
Enrichment Data: Some advent market organizers in Germany decide to play Gema-free music to curb the escalating licensing fees on using copyrighted tracks. Gema – Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte – is a German music rights organization that administers royalties on behalf of composers, lyricists, and music publishers for public performances of their music. Christmas markets can save a considerable amount by opting for Gema-free music, which includes public domain tunes, original compositions by local artists, or tracks licensed specifically for public use without Gema fees. This shift allows the event organizers to allocate more financial resources towards diversifying the festivities.
