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Livestreams of events

Apply for a licence

Apply here for the licence for livestreams from events

Application form

If you livestream an event on social media or websites, you must comply with the licensing terms and conditions.

Licences

The licensing terms and conditions apply to the transmission of individual events such as concerts, DJ sets, religious services, dance or fitness lessons. The terms and conditions also cover the archiving of livestreams. Our customer service will be happy to answer your questions: customerservices@suisa.ch

Providers of livestreaming platforms that charge fees should apply to  info@suisadigital.li for licensing purposes.

Please bear in mind that other rights may be involved.

Other rights: you must also obtain a licence for the following rights:

Synchronisation right

The synchronisation right is the right to combine music with your own images, i.e. to add music to a film. As a rule, this right is managed by the publisher of the work and SUISA cannot issue the relevant licence. You must apply directly to the music publisher for the right to use the desired work. You can find the publisher’s name on the CD or in our works database under “shareholders” in role "E" ("E"  for publishers) .

Rights in pre-existing recordings (neighbouring rights)

If you use pre-existing recordings (e.g. from a CD or an MP3 file) in a livestream, you must obtain the requisite licence. These rights are generally managed by the producer of the recording (sound recording producer, i.e. the record company or label). You must therefore apply to the sound recording producer for a licence for the relevant music pieces. In most cases, IFPI Switzerland (the umbrella association for Swiss producers of sound and sound and video recordings) will be able to assist you.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

  • Live streaming is (as a rule) the direct transmission of music or events disseminated live via the internet.

    In principle, the remuneration is charged as a percentage of revenues. If there are no revenues, remuneration will be based on the total costs, or a minimum fee will be applied. 

    For more information and the licensing terms and conditions for livestreams: Livestreams of events

  • As a private individual, you do not need a licence from SUISA to place non-commercial livestreams on YouTube and/or Facebook/Instagram because SUISA has direct agreements with both platforms (YouTube and Facebook/Instagram). In this context, non-commercial means that no money is charged for the livestream and that it is not produced by or for a company. Charity actions whose proceeds go entirely to the needy, as well as religious services and association events qualify as non-commercial provided no money is charged.

  • On social media: whenever money is charged for the livestream, or if it is streamed by or for a company.

    On your own website: as a rule, whenever you use music protected by copyright.
    Exception: a performing artist (e.g. a band) which only ever plays its own compositions (“own use”).

  • Usually, such messages tell you who the objecting rightholders are.

    In this case, it is advisable to contact the person or organisation concerned: that is the best way of finding out why the notice appeared.

  • YouTube treats archived livestreams exactly the same way as any other uploaded videos: rightholders who can claim content in the videos are able to display advertising.

    The advertising revenues are then shared between YouTube and the rightholders.

    This is admissible; you can only avoid it by using music which you have composed and produced yourself in the video.

  • That depends: if you do not play music from a recording (and only stream concerts, for example), you can assume that the stream will not be blocked. However, SUISA is only responsible for copyrights and not for recording rights which are represented by the labels. Therefore, if you play music from recordings, you need to contact the labels to avoid blocking.

  • If you livestream music, you need a licence for the copyrights in accordance with the Licensing terms and conditions for livestreams.

    Important:
    If you are planning to stream commercially available recordings (e.g.C Ds, MP3s, or music from streaming platforms), depending on the platform and rightholders, the livestream may be blocked.

    Tip: Read more on this subject in the SUISAblog article "Information on live streams for SUISA members"

    Registration forms are found on our website here: Livestreams of events

    1. From your organ/live/concert
      a) on social media: the rights are generally regulated by contracts with the platforms. You do not need a licence from SUISA.
      b) on your own website: you must obtain a licence from SUISA in accordance with the livestream licensing terms and conditions 
       
    2. From recordings
      a) on social media: you should expect the stream to be blocked (see FAQ 6)
      b) on your own website: in addition to the authors’ rights, you need licences from the labels.

  • Yes, you must obtain a licence in accordance with the livestream licensing terms and conditions.

    Important:
    DJ sets usually contain music recordings in respect of which the record companies or labels hold the recording rights.

    Many labels expressly prohibit DJ livestreams on social media, and often automatically block them.

    To livestream on your own website, you additionally need to license the recording rights directly from the labels. Without a licence, you will be infringing those copyrights and risk prosecution.

    Tip:
    According to SUISA, Mixcloud is currently the only platform that has concluded agreements with most major labels for DJ livestreams. To be on the safe side of the law, we advise you to only livestream your DJ sets there.