Some Christmas Markets Switch to Silence in Protest
In a unique demonstration against perceived high music license costs, several German cities are operating their Christmas markets in silence today. The markets in Magdeburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Erfurt, Hanover, and Rostock are participating in this unconventional "Day of Silence."
A Christkindlesmarkt spokesperson from Magdeburg commented, "It's unusual, but it works." Despite the missing tunes, the spirit of the Christmas markets remains unscathed.
Christmas market operators have expressed dissatisfaction with the increased licensing costs for using music compared to previous years. However, GEMA, the music rights management organization, stands by its position, citing incorrect information provided by the market operators as the reason for the apparent price hikes. Board member Georg Oeller pointed out last week that some large markets may have misreported their actual space size.
Many market operators are currently engaged in goodwill negotiations with GEMA, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open lines of communication.
As per GEMA, around 3,350 invoices have been sent to Christmas market operators across Germany for 2022. In 167 instances, the fees were higher, and in 35 cases, the increase was even substantial five-digit figures.
Christmas Markets Abroad Join the Silence
In solidarity with their German counterparts, some international Christmas markets are also participating in the Day of Silence. Visitors to the 'ma' Christmas market in Paris might notice an unusual quietness this year.
Various advocacy groups are advocating for a reevaluation of GEMA's music licensing fees at international Christmas markets. If the high costs discourage tourists, it could be detrimental for these markets.
Enrichment Insights
It's essential to note that while the German Christmas markets are not protesting against GEMA's music license fees with the Day of Silence, they are expressing dissatisfaction with perceived exorbitant costs. In the broader context, GEMA is involved in various music licensing disputes, notably a lawsuit against AI audio generators like Suno seeking license fees for the use of copyrighted musical works.
In the past, a dispute between YouTube and GEMA regarding copyright issues resulted in the blocking of thousands of music videos, including "Gangnam Style." This was later resolved with an agreement on copyrights and royalties between the two parties, allowing the music videos to be unblocked.
In summary, while there isn't a specific protest by German Christmas markets against GEMA's music license fees, the broader context of music licensing disputes in Germany involves GEMA's efforts to protect the rights of its members and ensure fair compensation for the use of their works, including in the context of AI-generated music.
