Neighbouring rights society · Germany

How to register with GVL.

Register with GVL (Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten) to collect neighbouring rights royalties when your master recordings are played on German radio, TV, and in public spaces.

⏱ 20–30 minutesNeighbouring rights

Understand GEMA vs GVL

German artists frequently confuse these two:

GEMA = royalties for the composition (written by the songwriter)

GVL = royalties for the performance/recording (your recorded performance)

A performing songwriter needs both. A pure performer (session musician, cover artist) needs only GVL.

Why this matters

Many German artists register with GEMA but not GVL, forfeiting significant neighbouring rights income from radio, TV, and public performance of their recordings.

Common mistake

Skipping GVL because you're already registered with GEMA. They collect completely separate royalties — GVL is not covered by GEMA membership.

Register as a Performing Artist (Free)

Register at gvl.de as a performing artist. Registration is free — GVL deducts a small administration percentage from collected royalties rather than charging upfront fees.

You will need:

Government-issued photo ID

Your artist name(s) and pseudonyms

Bank account details

Why this matters

GVL collects from every German radio station, TV channel, and public space playing your recordings. Germany is the third-largest music market globally — this is substantial revenue for artists with German airplay.

Common mistake

Waiting until you have significant airplay to register. GVL cannot make retroactive claims beyond a certain window — register now, before your tracks start getting played.

Register Your Recordings with Proof of Participation

Submit your recordings via the GVL portal. For each recording you must provide:

Recording title

ISRC code

Your role on the recording (featured artist, session musician)

Proof of participation — GVL requires documentation confirming your involvement. Accepted forms include:

CD booklet or sleeve notes listing your name

A signed recording contract or session agreement

A session fee payment statement

A letter from the record label confirming your participation

GVL Online Portal

Why this matters

GVL matches broadcast reports against registered ISRCs. Unregistered recordings generate royalties that end up in a distribution pool — eventually going to registered members, not you.

Common mistake

Not submitting proof of participation. Unlike some societies, GVL requires documented evidence for every recording — titles and ISRCs alone are not sufficient.

Apply for a Label Code (Producers Only)

If you are a record producer or label (including self-releasing independent artists who own their masters), apply for a Label Code (LC).

Broadcasters use the Label Code to report airplay minutes to GVL — it identifies which record label (or self-releasing artist) is the producer of a recording.

Label Code registration is handled through a separate GVL application for producers and labels.

GVL for Producers & Labels →

Why this matters

Without a Label Code, German radio stations cannot correctly attribute your recordings in their broadcast reports to GVL. This means producer-side royalties go unmatched.

Common mistake

Only registering as a performer and forgetting the Label Code if you are also the producer. Independent artists who self-release own the master — they need both performer registration and a Label Code.

Rekon tracks whether you're actually registered with GVL — and 36 others.

Connect your platforms once and Rekon flags every registration gap automatically, with the exact fix for each.

Rekon is independent of GVL. It is not affiliated with, authorised by, or sponsored by it.