German club Berghain is to remain open in 2013 despite changes to GEMA legislation.
Germany has some of the strictest music licensing laws in Europe, ranging from the way music is streamed online to how it is heard in clubs. Recent alterations to GEMA legislation caused a minor furore, though, when many promoters argued that it would completely stifle the country’s club scene.
Quickly spreading online, fears were raised that iconic nightspot Berghain – amongst many others – could shut its doors. However a report in Berliner Zeitung (via Resident Advisor) argues that this will not, now, be the case.
According to the report, Berghain owners have reached an agreement with German collections agency GEMA which allows them to stay open indefinitely.
The exact details of the agreement have not been made public, but this is undoubtedly good news.
Of course, the fight for other venues is ongoing. On June 30th this summer more than 2000 venues across Germany fell silent for five minutes, cutting out all music in order to demonstrate their dissent.
An online petition against the GEMA regulations is already gaining global support. Find it HERE.