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SUISA number for commercials (serial commercials)

For the registration of a serial commercial, all requirements must be met (Tariff VN - point 15.1.1):

  • At least 10 consecutive commercials from the same principal.
  • Music, total duration of the commercial, duration of music in the commercial, visual concept and sequence must be identical in all (at least) 10 commercials.

To obtain the SUISA number, please send us the relevant form.

First application:

In the case of serial commercials with different total duration (e.g. short and long version), each version must be registered separately (i.e. on separate forms).

Follow-up application:

For the subsequent registration of a serial commercial, the serial commercial must have been registered for a first time.

In the case of serial commercials with different total durations (e.g. a short and a long version), each version must be registered separately (i.e. on separate forms).

For non-serial commercials, please continue to use form “VN A: registration of advertising audiovisual recordings for TV, cinema, and/or internet”.

For further information: advertising@suisa.ch +41 21 614 32 28/30

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

  • Whosoever intends to publish or broadcast an audiovisual production – such as a commercial, film, video, or a series – has to file an application with SUISA.

    The application can be made by:

    • the principal or the user of the music directly, or
    • an agent, such as an advertising agency.

    SUISA confirms the registration in writing and issues the corresponding SUISA number(s).

    Registration is online using the relevant VN-A application form (available at this link).

  • Yes. You must first register the video production with SUISA under Tariff VN. After registration, you are issued a SUISA number.

    Then register the making-available of the online advertising campaign and enter the SUISA number in the process.

    For further information, see: Online advertising campaigns

  • SUISA only protects and licences music. For a commercial to be broadcast on TV or online – with or without music – it must have a SUISA number. This is the only way the commercial can be unequivocally identified.

    However, SUISA does not issue invoices for commercials that do not contain music, nor does it pay any royalties.

  • The production won’t be properly licensed, and it cannot be lawfully broadcast or streamed.

    In that case, although their music was used, the music-makers will not be fairly remunerated.

  • If you are re-using a commercial without making any changes – in duration, music or images – simply send an email to advertising@suisa.ch with the particulars of the repeat broadcast.

    However, if any changes are made, a new form must be filled in, and the commercial must be registered with SUISA as a “derivative commercial”.

  • Yes. Any change in the commercial –- whether in the images, music, duration, or text – requires a new SUISA number.

    But if the only difference is the language, a single SUISA number is enough.