New
Collecting society
for games.
New
Collecting society
for games.
from
After more than two years of preparation, the time has come: Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH (VHG) has received official permission to operate from the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). This means that for the first time, the games industry will also participate in the so-called private copying remuneration – an important step for the enforcement of copyright claims in the digital games world.
The foundation and its background
The game – Association of the German Games Industry founded VHG – Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH in May 2023. The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), in agreement with the German Federal Cartel Office, granted Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH (VHG) permission to conduct business in a decision dated September 9, 2025.
This makes the VHG the 14th collecting society in Germany and closes an important gap in copyright protection. The Gesellschaft zur Wahrnehmung von Veranstalterrechten mbH (GWVR) was last licensed eleven years ago.
What does the VHG do?
The new collecting society has a very specific mandate: the purpose of the new collecting society is to assert the remuneration claims granted by law to the producers of computer games. Such claims may exist if screenshots, film recordings or recordings of game actions are made for private purposes.
Who pays the remuneration?
An important point for gamers: these claims are not directed against individuals who save recordings of gameplay for private purposes on PCs or hard disks. The manufacturers of devices and storage media on which screenshots or recordings of gameplay are stored electronically must pay.
The fee is therefore charged when computers, smartphones, tablets or hard drives are purchased. For example, 17.06 euros are currently due when purchasing a privately used PC, which is also shown on the receipt.
Typical use cases
The VHG is relevant in many everyday gaming situations:
Let’s Plays and screenshots: Many players record and save their gameplay in order to save and share special moments.
Roleplay server: Especially in online games such as GTA Online, complex game situations arise. The gameplay is usually recorded and shared by all players so that everyone has the chance to follow the action retrospectively and pick it up again later.
E-sports: With the increasing popularity of e-sports, another sub-form of private copying has developed, namely the recording of e-sports broadcasts, their commentary or outtakes of e-sports matches.
Significance for the games industry
This gap was particularly problematic for the games industry: in 2021, the ZPÜ received over 65 million euros for legally permitted private copies on privately used PCs and hard drives and distributed this to all media industries with a relevant collecting society. The games industry does not yet have a collecting society and therefore does not receive any remuneration despite the large number of private copies of its games.
Effects on gamers and content creators
Little will change for private users: in addition, almost all games providers allow or tolerate Let’s Plays and other private acts of use via guidelines that the game association has collected in a license directory. Professional Let’s Players can also continue to create videos about games and publish them on Twitch, YouTube or other platforms.
It is important to differentiate between private and commercial use: Reproductions that are made for profit, e.g. by YouTubers or Twitch streamers acting commercially, are not covered by private copying.
Conclusion
The founding of the VHG marks a milestone for the German games industry. For the first time, developers and publishers of computer games can collectively enforce their copyright claims and participate in private copying remuneration. The system respects both the laws of creators and the needs of the gaming community for permitted private use.
The VHG is part of the tried-and-tested system of German collecting societies and helps to ensure that fair conditions are also created for all parties involved in the digital gaming world.
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