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  • 22-26 OCT 2025
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1. Legal
2. General Terms of Business of virtualWOMEX
3. WOMEX 24 in Manchester, UK – Terms of Payment and Business
4. VAT / Local Tax Information For WOMEX 24

 

Legal

Piranha Arts AG
Kreuzbergstrasse 30
10 965 Berlin
Germany

Phone: +49 30 318 614 30
Fax: +49 30 318 614 10
eMail: womex@womex.com

Berlin HRB: 63466
Steuer Nr. / tax no. 37/472/50418
Ust.Id.Nr. / VAT id. no. DE812 172 708
AR Vorsitzende (SB chair): Brigitte Bieg
Vorstand (CEO): Luca J. Borkowsky / Frank Klaffs
Gerichtsstand: Berlin
Sitz der Firma: Berlin

 

General Terms of Business of virtualWOMEX

(Update: 2 March 2023 - Terms are subject to change!)

virtualWOMEX is an account based online service platform and professional’s directory associated with WOMEX – Worldwide Music Expo. It enables communication between fully registered Delegates attending an upcoming/running edition of WOMEX as well as registered virtualWOMEX members.

virtualWOMEX is managed and operated by Piranha Arts AG, Kreuzbergstr. 30, 10965 Berlin, Germany. Information, communication and other resources relating to WOMEX and other are made available through virtualWOMEX by Piranha Arts AG.

  1. In order to receive access to and make use of virtualWOMEX services, online registration for either virtualWOMEX or an upcoming edition of WOMEX is required. A virtualWOMEX company account is created or updated upon confirmation of registration. Full registration for an edition of WOMEX automatically includes one-year access to the online platform and database.
  2. By selecting the BUY button during the online registration process or signing the registration form, you are liable to pay the applicable amount for virtualWOMEX registration upon approval by Piranha Arts AG.
  3. Payment in EUR currency only. All prices are net prices, applicable VAT will be added (19% German VAT for Companies based in the EU without valid EU VAT ID).
  4. Payments can be made by credit card (Master/VISA only) or bank transfer; no cheques accepted. In case of on-site registration, payments can be made in cash.
  5. Any additional bank costs are to be covered by the invoiced party.
  6. Registrations can only be accepted with a completed online registration form.
  7. By accepting the terms, you affirm that you are at least 16 years of age, the minimum age required to register for virtualWOMEX and use the platform.
  8. An online business account is created or updated upon confirmation of registration and membership for virtualWOMEX, the WOMEX community’s online platform and database, is established by default. virtualWOMEX profiles for company and delegates registered via the same account are activated. By default, contact details provided by members are visible to other fully registered and logged in virtualWOMEX members. Settings can be changed by the user after the account has been activated (see Privacy Policy).
  9. Members' full access to virtualWOMEX for the duration of one year will only become available after receipt of full payment. Registration for an edition of WOMEX includes one year full access to virtualWOMEX, available after receipt of full payment of the event registration.
  10. Your registration is strictly personal. Users are obliged to provide accurate person information. It is forbidden to submit another person’s or company’s data to create a virtualWOMEX account, or to create a fake account. In case of abuse, WOMEX withholds the right to refuse registration or terminate the account without reimbursement of expenses.
  11. In case you are making a registration on behalf of another person (in the scope of individual, company or group registrations), you confirm to do this with the consent of this person and acknowledge your obligation to inform them about all applicable terms of payment and business and data policies.
  12. It is not possible to transfer active account access (full or partial) to another registered person or company account. Re-registration at full price is required.
  13. Cancellation of a person’s virtualWOMEX registration must be received in writing at virtual@womex.com or via the registration account; registration fees will not be refunded. Registration cancellation deactivates access to the online platform for a registered member, virtualWOMEX account and general membership continue (see §15). In case the account and membership are based on WOMEX event registration, WOMEX registration terms & conditions apply.
  14. Termination of visibility of a company or person profile in virtualWOMEX can be requested by writing to virtual@womex.com termination of company profile visibility automatically ends visibility of all person profiles in the account. Termination of visibility does not terminate the virtualWOMEX account and general membership (see §15).
  15. Cancellation of general virtualWOMEX membership and full termination of the account must be received in writing at virtual@womex.com; Termination of the account / membership may lead to loss of any information associated with the account, including submitted content.
  16. The data you provide upon registration will be captured and processed for purposes relating to WOMEX according to our Privacy Policy.
  17. The usage of WOMEX and virtualWOMEX websites with automated systems is prohibited. This includes systematic mining of data or mass-mailouts to other users. Any violation of this provision will result in blocking of the account without reimbursement of expenses.
  18. In case of password theft, phishing or other unwarranted use of a virtualWOMEX account by a third-party, users remain liable for the unwarranted use of their account until they notify Piranha Arts AG via e-mail of the unauthorized usage.
  19. In case of goods, jobs or services being offered on virtualWOMEX, any resulting agreements or contracts are exclusively between the respective virtualWOMEX users. Potential claims arising from such business and trade must be directed and exclusively handled with both interested parties and not with Piranha Arts AG.
  20. Piranha Arts AG is under no circumstances liable for any loss or damage that might occur through the use of information acquired on virtualWOMEX. This includes damage caused by mistakes, delays or transmission breaks, incorrect content, lost or deleted data, viruses or any other malfunction arising from the use of virtualWOMEX.
  21. Use of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo or brand, or of any 'passing-off' versions of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo and brand for commercial purposes is not allowed without prior agreement with and written authorisation from Piranha Arts AG.
  22. Unsanctioned 'offWOMEX ' events, performances and the like, and/or events seen to be competing with WOMEX may not be promoted in virtualWOMEX. Use of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo or brand, or of any 'passing-off' versions of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo and brand in connection with any unsanctioned events is not permitted, nor may these be used in any way whatsoever to imply 'official selection' or any official association or partnership with WOMEX if this is not the case. Infringement of this clause gives Piranha Arts AG the full right to cancel your WOMEX and/or virtualWOMEX registration and membership, as well as all registration benefits without refund or reimbursements.
  23. You shall indemnify and keep Piranha Arts AG fully indemnified from and against all actions, claims and demands brought against these resulting (directly or indirectly) from any infringement of intellectual property rights of any third party effected by you.
  24. The WOMEX community believes in and expects a welcoming, tolerant, diverse and productive environment for all. Offensive and discriminatory behaviour on the basis of age, disability, gender, gender identity and expression, race, cultural identity, religion or belief, nationality, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated at WOMEX, within virtualWOMEX or on the WOMEX event sites in person, in print, on display or on social media.
  25. In case of infringement of terms and conditions, Piranha Arts AG reserves the right to refuse registration, or to cancel your registration and all registration benefits without refund or reimbursement of expenses.
  26. Place of jurisdiction for disputes concerning the present agreement is Berlin, Germany. The registration agreement shall be governed and construed according to the laws of Germany.

 

WOMEX 24 in Manchester, UK – Terms of Payment and Business

(Update: 25 March 2024 - Terms are subject to change!)
  1. By selecting the BUY button during the online registration process or signing the registration form on-site, you are liable to pay the applicable amount for registration and/or stand booking for WOMEX 24 upon approval by Piranha Arts AG (the organising company of WOMEX, WOMEX or Piranha Arts AG hereafter).
  2. Payment in EUR currency only. All prices are net prices, applicable VAT will be added.
  3. Payments until Friday, 27 September 2024, can be made by credit card (Master/VISA only) or bank transfer; no cheques accepted. Payments after Friday, 27 September 2024, can only be made by credit card. Payments during Walk-up only in cash or by credit card.
  4. Any additional bank costs are to be covered by the delegate/invoiced party.
  5. All registration rate deadlines are payment receipt deadlines. All deadlines expire midnight CEST (Central European Summer Time). If payment is not received before a rate change, the higher rate will be owed, regardless of registration date.
  6. Registrations and stand bookings can only be accepted with a completed registration form (online or paper), and are accepted subject to event capacity.
  7. A registration is strictly personal. On proof of ID, Piranha Arts AG will issue wristbands and badges upon check-in on-site, which must be worn at all times during WOMEX and are not transferable or replaceable. In case of loss, re-registering at full price is required. You may not transfer your badge or wristband to another person. If a badge or wristband is found in the possession of a person other than the registered delegate, Piranha Arts AG withholds the right to confiscate and expel the person from event sites and cancel the registration and all registration benefits without refund or reimbursement of expenses.
  8. In case you are making a registration on behalf of another person (in the scope of individual, company or group registrations), you confirm to do this with the consent of this person and acknowledge your obligation to inform them about all applicable terms of payment and business and data policies.
  9. Changes of a registered company name or individual name (registration transfer) are subject to a 40,- EUR (net) charge. Registration transfer includes transfer of virtualWOMEX account access. No changes are possible after the check-in of a registered company name or individual has been completed on site.
  10. Any cancellation must be received in writing at registration@womex.com or via your registration account; refunds are subject to a 20% administrative charge until Friday, 30 August 2024. Any additional bank costs for refunds are to be covered by the delegate/invoiced party. No refunds after Friday, 30 August 2024. Registration cancellation also terminates virtualWOMEX account access. No refunds are granted in case of non-attendance. Delegates are responsible for facilitating their own travel and attendance. WOMEX is not responsible for your visa processing and costs related to your visa application.
  11. In case of stand booking, further binding terms and conditions apply to exhibitors and co-exhibitors according to the WOMEX exhibition manual provided by Piranha Arts AG (see: WOMEX 24 Exhibitor manual).
  12. When two people from the same company register at the full price, every person who registers as part of that same company thereafter receives a discount rate ("3rd person rate"). This does not apply to the 30 years anniversary “CelebRate” until 3 May 2024.
  13. The media rate is available subject to capacity and only applicable to professional and working journalists and press representatives with valid and current media credentials acceptable to us. WOMEX reserves the right to refuse unacceptable credentials.
  14. Student registration is available subject to capacity and only applicable to those enrolled in a student programme leading to a high school or academic degree or equivalent qualification, with valid and current student credentials acceptable to us, who attend WOMEX in a learning capacity and who do not attend WOMEX on behalf of a running business. WOMEX reserves the right to refuse unacceptable credentials. A student registration does not include a full virtualWOMEX account (no public virtualWOMEX profile and no access to the client database).
  15. Fully-registered disabled delegates may be accompanied by their Personal Assistant (carer) free of charge. Please contact us before the event with your Disabled Identification Card [DID] or equivalent at registration@womex.com.
  16. Admission to event sites will only be granted after completion of registration and receipt of full payment. Fully-registered delegates are entitled to attend all WOMEX events (Trade Fair, Conference, Showcases, Film Screenings, Club Summit, Award and Opening Ceremony), subject to venue capacity and during the scheduled opening hours. Piranha Arts AG cannot guarantee admittance to showcases and events that are at full capacity. Early arrival is recommended.
  17. At all WOMEX venues and event sites, any house rules of these host venues and event sites will also apply, unless communicated otherwise by Piranha Arts AG. Any health and/or security measures implemented by governmental authorities at the time of the event will also apply.
  18. Piranha Arts AG retains the right to alter the format, date and location of any events in the WOMEX programme, if circumstances require.
  19. Piranha Arts AG will not be responsible for any third-party liability incurred by delegates as a result of any alteration of format, date and location of the event.
  20. In case the entire event WOMEX 24 has to be cancelled by Piranha Arts AG due to force majeure, all registration and/or stand booking fees already paid to Piranha Arts AG for this WOMEX edition will be fully refunded. Any resulting claims for the reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs and/or loss of working hours shall be excluded.
  21. Public performing or playing of music is not permitted at the Trade Fair.
  22. The data you provide upon registration will be captured and processed for purposes relating to WOMEX according to our Privacy Policy
  23. An online business account is created or updated upon confirmation of registration and membership for virtualWOMEX, the WOMEX community’s online platform and database, is established by default. virtualWOMEX profiles for company and delegates registered via the same account are activated. A full registration for WOMEX includes one year full access to virtualWOMEX, available after receipt of full payment. By default, contact details provided by members are visible to other fully registered and logged in virtualWOMEX members. Settings can be changed by the user after the account has been activated. virtualWOMEX terms and conditions apply.
  24. The usage of WOMEX and virtualWOMEX websites with automated systems is prohibited. This includes systematic mining of data or mass-mailouts to other users. Any violation of this provision will result in blocking of your virtualWOMEX account without any reduction in or reimbursement of your registration costs.
  25. Use of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo or brand, or of any 'passing-off' versions of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo and brand for commercial purposes is not allowed without prior agreement with and written authorisation from Piranha Arts AG.
  26. Unsanctioned 'offWOMEX' events, performances and the like, and/or events seen to be competing with WOMEX during the full duration of the WOMEX event may not be promoted physically or digitally anywhere on the WOMEX event sites, in the WOMEX bag or online. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes postering, handouts, flyers, any Trade Fair stand material and the like and any other material relating to these unsanctioned 'offWOMEX ' events and performances. These are not permitted, and Piranha Arts AG reserves the full right to take down posters, and/or remove and dispose of any of the offending material whatsoever without further notice. Use of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo or brand, or of any 'passing-off' versions of the WOMEX name, wordmarks, logo and brand in connection with any unsanctioned events is not permitted, nor may these be used in any way whatsoever to imply 'official selection' or any official association or partnership with WOMEX if this is not the case. Infringement of this clause gives Piranha Arts AG the full right to cancel your registration and all registration benefits without refund or reimbursements, and to refuse admission to event sites.
  27. By entering the WOMEX event sites, delegates give consent to and confirm that any photo and audio/audiovisual recording made of them during WOMEX (Trade Fair, Conference, Showcases etc.) may be extensively used free of charge in press coverage as well as in any future promotional applications by Piranha Arts AG in all media. It is also agreed that this material may be used for sponsorship acquisition (see: Privacy Policy).
  28. It is understood that the WOMEX Showcases (incl. Opening and Closing, Award Concert and all WOMEX performance stages) and Conferences must not be recorded (audio/video) by anyone without prior and written authorisation from Piranha Arts AG (please email media@womex.com).
  29. You shall indemnify and keep Piranha Arts AG as well as their local partners fully indemnified from and against all actions, claims and demands brought against these resulting (directly or indirectly) from any infringement of intellectual property rights of any third party effected by you.
  30. The WOMEX community believes in and expects a welcoming, tolerant, diverse and productive environment for all. Offensive and discriminatory behaviour on the basis of age, disability, gender, gender identity and expression, race, cultural identity, religion or belief, nationality, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated at WOMEX, within virtualWOMEX or on the WOMEX event sites in person, in print, on display or on social media.
  31. In case of infringement of terms and conditions, Piranha Arts AG reserves the right to refuse registration, or to cancel your registration and all registration benefits without refund or reimbursement of expenses, and to refuse admission to or expel individuals from event sites.
  32. Place of jurisdiction for disputes concerning the present agreement is Berlin, Germany. The registration agreement shall be governed and construed according to the laws of Germany.

 

VAT Information For WOMEX 24

 

VAT Charge on Admission Fees

In accordance with UK tax regulations, registrations at trade fairs and conferences fall under the rule for taxation of admission to cultural events. Admission fees are subject to the local VAT rate of the country where the event takes place.

The applicable VAT rate for admission fees in the UK regarding WOMEX 24 is 20%.

This VAT rate on admission fees has to be charged on all delegate registrations for WOMEX 24, regardless of where the taxable person is based. UK reverse charge only applies in case of UK VAT registered businesses (UK legislation VATA 1994 s8(1) / HMRC Notice 741A s 5.9).

For more information, please see His Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website

 

VAT REIMBURSEMENT ON TRADE FAIR STAND BOOKINGS (EVENT PACKAGES)

If you book a stand and accompanying services (Event Package, including but not limited to supply of space, set-up and maintenance of temporary stand structures, basic equipment rental, power, security etc.) at WOMEX, reverse charge for VAT can apply, if:

  • your business is based in the UK and you have a valid UK VAT ID number or
  • your business is based in the EU and you have a valid EU VAT ID number or
  • your business is based outside the UK and can provide proof of tax residence and entrepreneurship.

However,

  • If you are a German company with a valid VAT ID number you have to pay German VAT on the event package.
  • If you are an EU company without a valid VAT ID number, you have to pay local (UK) VAT on the event package.
  • If you are a company based outside the EU and cannot provide proof of tax residence and entrepreneurship, you have to pay local (UK) VAT on the event package.

 

VAT RECLAIM

A taxable person is allowed to deduct the VAT they paid on their purchases insofar as the goods or services are used for their business activities and they hold a valid VAT invoice addressed to their business. However, there is no right to deduct input VAT if they:

  • use them for an exempt or other non-business activity;
  • are used for the purposes of business entertainment; or
  • For UK businesses, are not obliged to charge VAT on their outputs for reason other than exemption (e.g. small businesses under the exemption threshold etc).

UK businesses can only recover UK input VAT if they are registered for VAT in the UK, in which case the VAT should be recovered on the UK VAT return.

Non-UK businesses which are registered for VAT in the UK can also recover UK VAT charged on their UK VAT returns.

Non-UK businesses who are not registered for VAT in the UK (and who are not required to be registered for VAT in the UK), but incur UK VAT in connection with their business activities in the UK can usually deduct the VAT charged in the UK provided that the conditions above are fulfilled. You may be able to reclaim the VAT you paid in the UK if you're registered as a business in your own country, and bought the goods or services to use in your business. Businesses must apply for UK VAT refunds directly to HMRC following the guidance in the document listed below. It is important to obtain valid VAT invoices and note the timeframes for reclaims. Businesses are also required to obtain a Certificate of Taxable Status to prove their taxable status in their own country.

For further information the following websites provide good guidance and please contact your own tax consultant:

HM Revenue & Customs: Non-EU businesses visiting the UK - getting VAT refunds

HM Revenue & Customers: Refunds of UK VAT for Non-UK businesses

You are also advised to contact your tax consultant if in doubt.