SUISA Copyright Distribution: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how musicians and publishers collect royalties for the public performance and broadcast of their music in Switzerland.
This scheme allows creators to collect royalties when their music is played in public or broadcast on the radio or television.
Who it's for
This program is specifically designed for individuals and entities involved in the creation and management of music. If you are a composer, a lyricist, or a music publisher, you may qualify to join the cooperative society to protect your work and collect your earnings.
What you get
The primary benefit is the collection of royalties, which are payments issued for the use of your intellectual property. These payments are triggered whenever your music is used for public performance or when it is broadcast via media channels.
What it costs you
Participation is not free. You will be required to pay a membership fee to the society. Additionally, there is a significant time commitment involved in the administrative side of the scheme, as you are responsible for the task of registering every single track you have produced to ensure it is tracked correctly.
The catch to know
The most common mistake made by members is assuming that royalty collection happens automatically without your involvement. In reality, you must proactively report your setlists for every gig you perform. If you do not report the specific songs played at a live event, you may miss out on the payments you are owed for those performances.
How to apply
- Verify that you qualify as a composer, lyricist, or music publisher.
- Contact the cooperative society to handle your membership registration and fee payment.
- Carefully register every individual music track you have created to ensure they are in the system.
- Maintain a strict habit of submitting your performance setlists for every single gig to ensure you get paid accurately.