GEMA
Successful Negotiations with GEMA in Germany
One of the European Circus Association's most important advocacy initiatives has been its long-standing engagement in negotiations with GEMA, Germany's collective management organisation for musical rights.
GEMA suddenly terminated its long-term tariff for circuses in 2018. Representing the major German circuses ECA immediately started to negotiate with GEMA together with VdCU, the German circus association. For many years, the circus sector in Germany faced significant challenges regarding the application of music licensing fees to travelling circuses. Existing tariff structures did not reflect the unique economic and operational realities of circus enterprises, which perform in temporary venues, tour extensively, and operate under highly seasonal conditions.
Representing the interests of circus operators at both the national and European level, the ECA worked to establish a constructive dialogue that respected the rights of composers and publishers while advocating for licensing conditions that were fair, transparent and economically sustainable for circuses. A central figure throughout these discussions was Helmut Grosscurth, Managing Director of the European Circus Association, who acted as the official spokesperson for the ECA during negotiations with GEMA. Through his leadership and extensive knowledge of the circus industry, he played a key role in communicating the specific needs of travelling circuses and fostering mutual understanding between the cultural sector and the collecting society.
The ECA's participation helped ensure that the concerns of circus businesses were represented professionally and consistently over many years. At the end of 2025, the Munich Higher Regional Court handed down its final ruling. It sets a rate that is about half as high as GEMA’s original demand.
This commitment reflects the ECA's broader mission: to represent and strengthen the European circus community, defend its interests before public institutions and stakeholders, and ensure that the legal and economic framework allows circuses to continue inspiring audiences across Europe for generations to come.
Important to know: Members of VdCU and ECA receive a 20% association discount on all GEMA invoices! We would like to remind you once again to submit reports on time (before and after events) and to submit set lists in the required format by the deadline, and we urge all members to strictly adhere to the deadlines for payment of compensation and use of the online portal.
As users of music from GEMA’s repertoire, circuses in Germany are required to register their events with GEMA and report their use of the music.
The following information must be reported to GEMA:
- Customer number (if available)
- First and last names or full company name, including the company’s legal name and address (billing address)
- Phone number for inquiries
- Venue and address
- Dates of performances
- Net revenue from ticket sales
- Number of attendees
- Type of music playback (live music, CD, MP3, etc.)
- Other monetary benefits
- Duration of music performance (in the case of a pro-rata calculation), including setlists
For more information, please visit https://www.gema.de/de/musiknutzer/branchen/variete-und-zirkus and https://www.gema.de/de/musiknutzer/tarifuebersicht/tarif-z
The current Tariff Z (as of 1 April 2026) can be found at:
In all its activities the ECA enjoys close collaboration and cooperation with other professional organizations representing the same interests:
- Fédération Mondiale du Cirque under the patronage of Princess Stéphanie of Monte Carlo
- European Showmen’s Union (ESU)
- European Network for Traveller Education (ENTE)
- Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe (PEARLE)