Seriously.

GEMA (Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte/Society for Musical Performing and Mechanical Reproduction Rights) represents the rights of performers, collecting royalties for both live and – er – mechanical reproductions of music.

The city of Mainz has in the past paid around €5000 a year for the Christmas carols from loudspeakers and performances by local choirs.

GEMA now wants €60000.

(At least Dick Turpin wore a mask….)

Why?

Because they’re now basing their charge on the area in which the music can be heard.

The Christmas market takes place on the 3 squares flanking the cathedral – Höfchen, Markt and Liebfrauenplatz.

Covers around 10000 m2.

250 metres end to end

With the cathedral in the way.

GEMA’s theory is that if you’re a choir and you’re singing on Höfchen, folks at the other end of Liebfrauenplatz will hear you loud and clear.

In the words of the Prophet Tui: Yeah, right

So this year, it’s Thursday to Sunday.

And fewer than half the performances,

Bastards….

18 Dec This entry was published on 18 December, 2024 at 09:00. It’s filed under Christmas, Commerce, Geriatric rant, Mainz and tagged GEMA, Weihnachtsmarkt. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.