Industries · Branchen
Copyright questions look different in every industry. A record label thinks in master rights and splits, a film producer in chain of title, a software house in licence metrics, a museum in reproduction rights. As German copyright lawyers we know the contracts, collecting societies and typical disputes of each sector – and advise on German copyright law for clients in Germany and abroad.
Copyright law by industry
Music
Artist, label licensing, publishing and producer agreements, sampling, GEMA and GVL, catalogue transactions, infringement claims for composers and labels.
Film and television
Option and screenplay agreements, production and co-production, chain of title, E&O clearance, remuneration claims of authors and performers.
Broadcasting and streaming
Licensing of programmes and music for linear and on-demand services, territorial licences, platform liability and anti-piracy.
Publishing and press
Author and translation agreements under the German Publishing Act, foreign rights, press publishers’ right, quotation and image rights.
Software and games
Software licences and SaaS, licence audits, open source compliance, game development and localisation agreements, protection of code and assets.
AI and tech companies
Training data and text and data mining, opt-outs, AI Act copyright obligations, output rights and terms of use for AI products.
Photography
Image licensing, unauthorised use online, damages by licence analogy, attribution, model releases and the right to one’s own image.
Design and fashion
Copyright in applied art after the CJEU case law, copycat products, interplay with registered and unregistered designs.
Art and galleries
Exhibition and consignment agreements, resale right, catalogue rights, authenticity and moral rights of artists.
Architecture
Rights in plans and buildings, alterations and the architect’s right against distortion, use of building images.
Advertising and agencies
Agency agreements, buy-outs, music and image clearance for campaigns, pitch protection.
Influencers and social media
Creator agreements, content usage rights, music on social platforms, takedowns and notices.
Theatre and stage
Performance rights, stage adaptations, director and performer agreements, touring productions.
Museums and cultural institutions
Digitisation, reproductions of public domain works, loans, image licensing and out-of-commerce works.
Sport
Footage and photo rights, event content, sponsorship and media rights agreements.
What all industries have in common
Despite the differences, the same questions arise again and again under German copyright law. Who is the author and who holds the rights? Has the right been granted for the intended media, territory and term? Is the remuneration equitable within the meaning of Section 32 of the German Copyright Act? And what can be done if content is used without permission? Because German law does not allow the copyright itself to be assigned and interprets licences narrowly according to their purpose, careful drafting is essential in every sector. Our overview of German copyright law explains these principles.
Creators and companies
We act for artists, musicians, composers, lyricists, authors, photographers, designers, actors and models as well as for media, publishing, production and distribution companies of all sizes, SMEs, corporate groups, institutions and public bodies. Knowing both perspectives helps us negotiate realistic contracts and assess disputes soberly.
International clients
Many of our industry mandates have a cross-border element – a US label releasing in Germany, a Scandinavian game studio localising for the DACH market, a Japanese publisher licensing German translation rights. We advise on licensing in Germany, handle copyright infringement in Germany and coordinate enforcement in the EU and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
Is my industry not listed?
Copyright affects almost every business that creates or uses content. Contact us – we will tell you quickly whether we can help.
Do you also handle trade mark and design matters?
Our focus is copyright. Where trade marks or designs are involved, our lawyers and our patent attorneys cover these aspects as well.
Talk to a copyright lawyer who knows your industry
Call +49 511 35 73 56-0, email info@dieurheberrechtler.de or visit copylawyers.com.
Deutsche Fassung: Branchen