photo: Bergfels
Even all the mainstream media are talking about it at the moment: The Berghain has announced to close down for good should the new price model of the GEMA be realized. So what is this all about? The GEMA is the German society for copyright holders (composers, lyricists, and music publishers). Normally, that should not be a bad thing. But somehow the GEMA became one of Germany’s most hated organizations. They are the one who are responsible for banning numerous music videos from YouTube. And now they are going for the clubs.
The reason why: In the past, the GEMA mainly received their money from record sales. Now, as these revenues are shrinking, they are looking for new sources of income. So they are trying to squeeze the clubs. The GEMA is in fact a monopolist, an intransparent bureaucratic monster run by 60 year-olds that do not have any clue about club culture. Should the new price model be realized, it will certainly be the end of many clubs in Berlin, not only of the Berghain. So what can you do about it? The Dehoga (the German hotel and caterer association) set up a petition that has already been signed by more than 230.000 people. If you have not done yet – here is the link.
