Screen Composers, AI and Fair Remuneration: GEMA Hosts Global Leadership Summit in Berlin
On 12 and 13 February 2026, GEMA hosted the “International Screen Composers Leadership Summit” in Berlin, held on the margins of the Berlinale. More than 80 participants from overseas and across the globe gathered for two days of strategic dialogue on the future of screen composers, film music, copyright protection and collective management in a rapidly changing environment.
Initiated by the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, the summit took place at the Embassy of Canada and at the GEMA headquarters. Conceived as an international think tank at leadership level, it brought together heads of composer associations, collective management organizations and industry experts, including representatives from SOCAN, KODA, SACEM, ASCAP and GEMA.
Collective Management and Streaming Economics in the Audiovisual Sector
A central focus of the summit was the future of collective management for screen composers in the age of global streaming platforms. As streaming economics continue to reshape the audiovisual music market, ensuring fair remuneration for film composers has become increasingly complex.
Participants discussed how collective management organizations can enforce copyright protection and maintain bargaining power vis à vis global digital services. Strong collective structures remain essential to defend authors’ rights and guarantee that composers participate fairly in the economic success of their works.
International cooperation between CMOs is critical, as audiovisual productions and digital exploitation models operate across borders.
Buyout Contracts in Film Music: A Structural Challenge for European Composers
A keynote panel co organized with the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance and supported by Creative Europe addressed one of the most pressing issues for European music creators: buyout contracts in film and audiovisual music.
Buyouts typically require screen composers to transfer all or substantial parts of their authors’ rights on a perpetual basis in exchange for a one time payment. Instead of benefiting from long term participation through royalties and collective remuneration, composers receive a lump sum and relinquish future royalties.
The widespread and harmful use of buyout contracts poses a serious challenge to fair remuneration and weakens the economic position of creators. The discussion made clear that buyouts are not isolated contractual cases but a systemic issue affecting the sustainability of the film music sector.
GEMA stands firmly behind composers in this debate. At national level, in cooperation with the European umbrella organization GESAC, and within the global framework of CISAC, GEMA advocates for stronger contractual fairness, improved bargaining positions and regulatory frameworks that protect creators’ rights across territories.
AI, Copyright and GEMA’s Litigation Strategy
Artificial intelligence and generative AI were cross cutting topics throughout the summit. In a dedicated session, GEMA presented its AI litigation and licensing strategy in response to the growing use of protected works in AI systems.
This includes legal action against OpenAI in connection with ChatGPT and proceedings against the AI music platform Suno, addressing the unauthorized use of copyrighted music and lyrics. These cases form part of a broader approach that combines music licensing solutions, litigation and active lobbying at German and European level.
The objective is to establish legal clarity in the field of AI and copyright, ensure that creators are remunerated when their works are used for AI training or generation, and create fair market conditions in the era of generative AI and music technologies.
In addition, the Campaign to End Ghostwriting was presented, which aims to ensure that composers receive full recognition for their creative work.
Composer Advocacy, Diversity and Gender Balance
Beyond legal and economic frameworks, the summit also addressed composer advocacy and representation in policy debates. How screen composers communicate their creative contribution directly influences political perception and market value. Proactive engagement in legislative processes is therefore essential to safeguard creators’ rights.
Diversity and inclusion were highlighted in a session by the Alliance for Women Film Composers, which focused on gender balance and diversity in the film and music industries. Structural barriers remain, but visibility, networking and targeted initiatives are driving progress.
The all female panel “Stories Behind the Cue” provided personal insights into creative processes and career paths, reinforcing the importance of representation in both the audiovisual sector and the broader music industry.
A Global Dialogue on the Future of Film Composers
The Berlin International Screen Composers Leadership Summit demonstrated that the challenges facing screen composers are global in nature. Generative AI, streaming business models and buyout contracts affect creators across territories.
Addressing these issues requires alignment between composer associations, collective management organizations and policymakers. By hosting this international leadership summit in Berlin, GEMA reinforced its commitment to defending authors’ rights, strengthening collective management and shaping the future of film music in Europe and beyond.
In times of profound technological and structural transformation, protecting human creativity and ensuring fair remuneration for composers remains a shared responsibility across the global music ecosystem.
Photos: Marie Staggat
