Anybody who wants to use music in public needs a licence to do so. The licence fee, or royalty, depends on the type of use. Royalty rates are set in tariffs. Music does not have the same value for a restaurant as it does for a concert hall or a disco. That is why there are some 30 different tariffs containing the rates for the various forms of use. The tariff sheet, an information sheet and an application form can be downloaded on the relevant pages.
SUISA negotiated its tariffs with the competent associations and organisations; the tariffs were examined and approved by the Federal Arbitration Commission for copyrights and neighbouring rights.
If you want to apply for a licence to use music publicly, please fill out the application form and send it to us duly signed.
All tariffs of the five Swiss collective rights management organisations
Mood Music on audio and audiovisual media
Further questions
On what criteria are royalties based?
The tariffs of the five Swiss collective administration societies must comply with the equity principle enshrined in the Copyright Law. In setting its tariffs, SUISA takes the following criteria into consideration:
- the proceeds generated by the use of the music or, alternatively, the costs in connection with such use;
- the type and number of works used; and
- the breakdown between protected and non protected works.
As a rule, royalties do not exceed 10% of the proceeds (for example, ticket sales) or costs (for example, performers' fees).
Do I have to pay royalties when musicians play their own works?
Yes. If the performer is also the composer, lyricist or arranger (author), and is a member of SUISA, he has assigned his rights to SUISA and SUISA collects the royalties on his behalf. Accordingly, he no longer holds those rights and cannot negotiate payment directly with the organiser.
The musicians only play unprotected music. Do I still have to pay royalties?
No. But you still have to provide SUISA a complete, detailed list of all the works. If the musicians only performed works in the public domain, naturally you will not be charged any royalties.
