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A comment on How a small streaming site became the Netflix for indie film. Parent comment

Re:How a small streaming site became the Netflix for indie film by NolF on Thursday October 08, 2015 @06:46PM (#10356910)
The producers likely have distribution agreements on a by-country basis. So, for example WB cannot distribute <movie> in Germany because GEMA has the rights. But GEMA didn't buy the rights for the English subtitles. I imagine technically WB could then sell subtitles rights for <movie> in Germany but it would be a pain because maybe those subtitles were done by <subcompany> for licence in America and Oceania... etc.
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Re:How a small streaming site became the Netflix for indie film by crucialfelix on Friday October 09, 2015 @04:20AM (#10358758)
GEMA is a collection society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights. Equivalent to BMI / ASCAP. They have nothing to do with films.

They certainly do not buy rights for anything at all. They represent copyright holders and collect fees and distribute them.

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