About us
Creative and strong – we are advocates for fair copyright legislation.
42
guilds and unions
140.000
authors and artists
Fair copyright legislation.
A vibrant culture.
The Copyright Initiative represents the interests of approximately 140,000 creators and performing artists in the fields of composition, orchestral music, journalism, film and television, photography, documentary film, fiction and nonfiction, design, illustration, visual arts, acting, dance, game development, and many more.
Together, we create a sophisticated culture, high-quality education, quality entertainment, independent journalism, and lively discourse; we contribute to diversity of opinion and democracy; and we establish a strong international creative hub that is also of great economic significance: Gross value added (GVA) in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) amounted to approximately 103.7 billion EUR in 2021 (estimate). This places it slightly above the level of mechanical engineering and ahead of other sectors such as financial services, energy supply, and the chemical industry.
Following the significant slumps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the cultural and creative industries were thus able to grow significantly again overall in 2021 (+5.2%). Gross value added thus approached pre-pandemic levels, though it has not yet returned to them (€105.2 billion in 2019).
Bringing together over 40 associations and unions, the Copyright Initiative serves as the representative platform for all sectors of the creative industries. We actively advocate for the interests of all creators and performing artists—and fight for fair copyright laws in Germany and Europe.
My work.
For you.
Finger on the pulse of politics.
This is how we work.
Through regular publications, our website reflects the ongoing discourse on copyright law. Thanks to its expertise, the Copyright Initiative is regarded as the primary point of contact for all questions related to copyright law in Germany. In commentaries and statements, we provide input on all legislative processes in the field of copyright law and related areas, as well as on relevant court rulings, to policymakers, the press, and the general public. In addition, we are active in Brussels when necessary and well-connected with officials in the 16 federal states.
The annual international copyright conference serves as a dynamic platform for discussion among policymakers, academics, the cultural sector, and professional creatives. The high-profile political panel provides insights into current challenges in copyright law and engages in dialogue with legal experts and creators. Speakers at recent conferences have included Dr. Stefanie Hubig (2025), Olaf Scholz, Claudia Roth, Prof. Monika Grütters, Heiko Maas, Prof. Dr. Dr. Udo Di Fabio, and others. The conferences also consistently generate concrete proposals and ideas for the future.
Direct dialogue with members of the Bundestag is also a key part of our work. In addition to smaller-scale exchanges, regular expert discussions are held between members of parliament and representatives of the Copyright Initiative, during which pressing industry issues are discussed and brought directly to the attention of policymakers. Naturally, the Copyright Initiative maintains close contact with the relevant ministries—primarily the BMJV, but also the BKM, BMWE, BMDS, and others. Discussions take place at the ministerial level, as well as regularly with the heads of specialized departments and other staff members.
Furthermore, the Copyright Initiative is also active at the European level, for example through parliamentary evenings with EU parliamentarians, as well as through regular discussions with representatives of the European Commission.
Our members meet regularly to discuss current challenges and define the umbrella organization’s joint strategy. In addition, there are working groups that address individual topics in detail.
The Copyright Initiative is based in Berlin and has its office not far from the political center at Potsdamer Platz. It is also active in Brussels. The executive director is Katharina Uppenbrink, and the spokesperson for the Copyright Initiative is composer Matthias Hornschuh.
The initiative is legally supported by the Förderverein der Initiative Urheberrecht e.V. (Friends of the Copyright Initiative). The board of the Förderverein is elected every three years. Currently, the board consists of Micki Meuser, Lisa Mangold, and Jobst Oetzmann. The Copyright Initiative is funded by membership dues and project grants, including for events such as the annual international copyright conference at the Academy of Arts.
170
billion euros in turnover
1,7
million workers
Our cultural and creative industries.
Contact
Förderverein
Initiative Urheberrecht e.V.
Weberstrasse 61
53113 Bonn
Berlin Office –
New address since 2024:
Authors' Rights Initiative
(Initiative Urheberrecht)
Köthener Str. 44
10963 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0)30 20 91 58 07
info@urheber.info
www.urheber.info
Förderverein Initiative Urheberrecht REG number in the Transparency Register is: REG 7367236103076-54
Our team
Katharina Uppenbrink Managing Director
katharina.uppenbrink@urheber.info
Katharina Uppenbrink has been managing director of Initiative Urheberrecht (www.urheber.info), the umbrella organisation for authors and performing artists since 2014. The organisation represents around 140,000 authors and performing artists through more than 40 member organisations from all areas and sectors of the cultural, creative and media industries.
After completing her training and studies in Berlin and London, she worked for various publishing houses. In 2002, she became managing director of the Association of German Screenwriters (now DDV). She was appointed to various committees of the German Federal Film Board (FFA), became involved in the Copyright Initiative at an early stage and helped establish the umbrella organization of European screenwriters' associations, the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE), in Brussels. For several years, she played a leading role in the planning and organization of the World Conferences of Screenwriters (WCOS).
Matthias Hornschuh Composer & speaker for the creatives in the Initiative Urheberrecht
matthias.hornschuh@urheber.info
Matthias Hornschuh is a composer, publicist and university lecturer and campaigns in a variety of functions for culture, media, society and especially intensively for the rights of creators. In the summer of 2021, he was appointed spokesperson for creators in the Authors’ Rights Initiative.
Hornschuh serves as Chairman of mediamusic / berufsverband medienmusik, member of the supervisory board of GEMA, deputy president of Landesmusikrat NRW, member of the board of Kulturrat NRW, member of the advisory board of CREATIVE.NRW, deputy member of the state media commission.
Strong together.
These are our partners.
Our members
Our partners
Funded by the Initiative Musik gemeinnützige Projektgesellschaft mbH with project funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.