Music in apps
Apply for a licence
Apply here for a licence to use music and ringtones in apps
Apps (short for application software) offer many helpful or entertaining functions. They often also contain music. As a rule, a licence for the use of the music must be obtained from SUISA.
App, short for “application”, is synonymous with “programme” in this context. An app is a software programme used primarily in smartphones and other mobile devices. Theoretically, any installable digital application is an app. Apps always have a direct use and are controlled by the user.
Apps offer many helpful or entertaining functions. They often also contain music. As a rule, to use this music, you need permission (a licence) from SUISA which distributes the licence revenues to the composers, lyricists, authors and publishers of the works used.
Exceptions to this rule are own compositions – provided the composer is not a member of a collective rights management organisation – and music in the public domain, i.e. works no longer protected by copyright. If you are not sure whether you need a licence for the music you are using, contact us: we are at your disposal.
A distinction must be made between music that is downloaded and stored on a device (download to own), and music that is simply streamed off a server (streaming on demand).
Licence fees
A: Storing music on an end device (download to own)
If content is downloaded from the app and stored on an end device, the licence fee is calculated based on the total income from the app where payment is charged for the downloading.
If the downloading is free of charge, the licence fee is calculated per download.
B: Streaming music from the server (streaming on demand)
In the case of paying apps, if the content of the app or the app itself is streamed online, licence fees are charged based on the total app income. In the case of apps whose contents are streamed online for free, licence fees are calculated based on the number of visits per month.
Other rights
If you use production music, SUISA can transfer to you both the neighbouring rights and the synchronisation rights in addition to the authors’ rights. For further information in this regard, see the page “Audio and video productions: Production Music”.
If you do not use Production Music, you will probably have to obtain a licence for other rights (e.g. synchronisation rights or neighbouring rights). For more information, see “Other rights“.
How to proceed
Please fill in the application form and send it to us. We will check your application and then send you an invoice.
