GVL and Labelcode

The GVL, short for Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten, is the German neighbouring rights collecting society.

GVL collects royalties for the use of recorded music, for example when music is played on German radio or TV. This can include regular airplay, background music or other broadcast uses. Royalties are usually calculated based on the broadcast usage, for example the duration of the music played.

What is a label code?

A label code, often shortened to LC, is an identification number used mainly in the German radio and TV market.

A label code can be helpful if you want to pitch your releases to public radio or public TV stations in Germany, as these broadcasters may request it for reporting and royalty allocation.

Do I need a label code?

In most cases, a label code is not mandatory.

You usually only need one if you specifically plan to pitch your releases to German public radio or public TV stations.

For regular digital distribution, streaming platforms or download stores, a label code is not required. GVL and other neighbouring rights collecting societies can usually allocate royalties to the correct label even without a label code.

In many cases, recordings can be identified through metadata such as ISRC and UPC codes.

What if my music is played outside Germany?

GVL mainly handles neighbouring rights in Germany. If your music is played on radio, TV or used as background music in another country, the royalties may be handled by the relevant neighbouring rights collecting society in that territory.

Each country may have its own system or collecting society for neighbouring rights. These societies can often identify recordings through metadata such as ISRC and UPC codes, so a German label code is not always required.

If neighbouring rights are handled through dig dis!, we take care of the relevant administration where applicable and credit the royalties to you once they have been distributed to us.

If you already work directly with another collecting society in your own country, please make sure that there is no duplicate registration or conflicting claim for the same rights.

How can I request a label code?

If you still require a label code, please contact us at:

publishing@digdis.de

When you order a label code through us according to section 7.5 of your distribution contract, we take care of the administrative work related to GVL. This includes registering your recordings and crediting the royalties to you once GVL has distributed them.

Is GVL the same as GEMA?

No. GVL and GEMA are separate institutions.

Registering your music with GVL does not automatically register it with GEMA and does not make it subject to GEMA.

GVL mainly deals with neighbouring rights related to recordings and performers, while GEMA deals with authors’ rights for composers, lyricists and publishers.