General Terms and Conditions of Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH (KBB)

General Terms and Conditions of Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH (KBB)

1. Scope of Validity

These terms and conditions regulate the legal relationships for visitors to events in all business divisions operated by the Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH (KBB). These are the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures, HKW), the Berliner Festspiele (BFS) together with the Martin-Gropius-Bau (MGB) and the Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Berlin International Film Festival, IFB). Any further reference to KBB below also includes the aforementioned business divisions.

These terms and conditions are an integral part of the contract established when an entrance ticket is purchased. The same terms apply to subscribers and members of visitors’ organisations unless alternative agreements have been made.

2. Programmes and Starting Times, Programme Changes

Currently valid programmes and starting times can be found in official KBB publications. Programmes are subject to alteration. No responsibility can be assumed for details regarding cast or times.

3. Entrance Price

The entrance prices applicable for each event are published by the KBB and posted at the box office.

Reduced-price tickets (if available) can be bought at the box offices of the individual venues upon production of the appropriate documentation. Reduced-price tickets are only valid in conjunction with this documentation. If the documentation cannot be produced, the difference in amount between the reduced and full entrance price must subsequently be paid.

4. Ticket Sales

Bookings can be made in advance at the times listed in KBB publications, at the KBB advance box offices, on the internet as well as at third-party advance ticket outlets. In individual cases, the KBB reserves the right to restrict the number of tickets available to each purchaser.

Ticket reservations for some events and festivals can be made in writing. Details can be found in the relevant KBB publications. Bookings can be made by telephone from the start of the advance booking period.

If payment for reserved tickets has not been made by the deadline given, the tickets will be put back on sale.

Regulations for ticket sales are subject to alterations or additions, which will be published by the KBB or posted at the box office.

5. Ticket Returns

It is not generally possible to return tickets. This also applies in the case of cast changes. Tickets can be returned for a period of 14 days should the event be cancelled. The right to return tickets expires thereafter. When exchanging tickets which have been bought via the internet, the ticket price can be refunded but not the online sales charge. Tickets not bought at a KBB advance ticket outlet or via the internet can only be refunded at third-party advance ticket outlets. Claims regarding externally organised events held in KBB locations should be directly addressed to the external organiser.

6. Ticket Loss

It is possible for a lost ticket to be replaced at the box office if the purchaser can prove exactly which ticket was bought. A visitor in possession of an original ticket takes precedence over a visitor with a replacement ticket. A replacement ticket does not entitle the holder to be allocated a different seat.

7. Admittance

The cloakroom facilities and foyers are generally open one hour before the performance begins. Notice of any separate arrangements will be published as appropriate by the KBB.

For safety reasons and out of consideration to performers and other members of the audience, once a performance has started visitors can only be admitted to the auditorium at an appropriate moment, and with no claim to the seat number purchased. It is the decision of venue staff if and when latecomers may be admitted.

8. Cloakroom Policy

Coats, bags, etc can only be taken into the auditorium if this does not disturb other visitors or pose a safety hazard. These items can be deposited at a cloakroom during the performance. Instructions given by venue staff must be followed. Animals may not be left at the cloakroom. The KBB reserves the right to levy a cloakroom fee.

The KBB is only liable for loss or damage to cloakroom items if the cloakroom staff intentionally or negligently fail to fulfil their safekeeping duty. Liability does not include valuables, jewellery, items made from precious metals, cash and other means of payment, business documents, certificates, driving licences or keys. Items of this nature can only be deposited at the visitor’s own risk.

Should the KBB be liable in accordance with the terms of the above paragraph, the level of compensation is determined in accordance with the insurance conditions displayed in the cloakroom. This limits the compensation to € 2,556 for all items covered by one cloakroom token; of this sum, a total of € 100 is reserved for the contents of pockets, handbags and other receptacles. The liability of the KBB is restricted to the provisions of the insurer according to the insurance conditions.

Cloakroom items are handed over upon production of the cloakroom token without entitlement being checked. Cloakroom items can only be handed over to a visitor without a cloakroom token who has credibly shown him- or herself to be the entitled recipient. Cloakroom staff must be informed immediately should visitors find that they have been handed cloakroom items which are damaged or which do not belong to them.

Incorrect, damaged, or lost cloakroom items and the loss of a cloakroom token must all be reported immediately to cloakroom staff. Loss of a cloakroom token obliges the visitor to pay for the cost of its replacement.

9. Lost and Found Items

All items found in KBB venues must be handed in to venue or cloakroom staff. All items found will be treated in accordance with the provisions of German Civil Code §§ 978 ff. BGB.

10. House Rules

A visitor may be denied entry to venues should there be cause to believe that he or she will disturb the performance or other visitors. A visitor who has repeatedly contravened these general terms and conditions may also be denied entry.

Any person obstructing the sale of tickets or harassing visitors may be removed from the venue. It is not permitted for visitors to offer tickets for sale in the ticket sales foyer, elsewhere within the venues or on property belonging to the venue.

It is not permitted to occupy a seat other than that shown on the ticket. Should a visitor change seats without authorisation, the KBB is entitled to charge the difference between the prices of the two seats, or direct the visitor to the seat shown on the ticket, or ask the visitor to leave the performance.

Mobile phones and watches with acoustic time signals must be switched off during the performance.

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. It is forbidden to smoke elsewhere in the building.

Food and drink cannot be taken into the auditorium.

Instructions given by venue staff must be followed.

11. Visual and Sound Recordings

Visitors are strictly forbidden from making visual and/or sound recordings of any kind. Infringement of this rule can result in civil and criminal proceedings, and the visitor concerned being removed from the venue.

Film, digital, video or sound recordings of parts of the exhibition or performance can be confiscated. Return may be made subject to the owner agreeing that the recordings be erased beforehand.

In the event of authorised visual and/or sound recordings being made during a public performance, the visitors’ presence at the performance implies consent that visual and sound recordings may be made of them, and that these recordings may be broadcast or published without entitlement to remuneration.

12. Effective Date

These general terms and conditions are effective as of 1st September 2005. The hitherto applicable general terms and conditions of the KBB and its business operations thereupon lose their effectiveness.

The Management

Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH

Schöneberger Straße 15

10963 Berlin

Tel +49 (0)30 263 97-0