How royalties are distributed
Songwriters, composers and publishers do not earn a salary when they create their works – they earn their living from the use of their works in public. Many users are not aware of this.
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Online uses
How do I get paid for online uses?
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Domestic uses
How do I get paid for domestic uses?
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Foreign uses
How do I get paid for foreign uses?
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Reporting uses
Report uses of works that are not on your settlement statement to SUISA
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Distribution key
IPI decisions
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SUISA’s cost-coverage deductions
SUISA deducts an amount to cover its administration expenses from all the remuneration it collects.
As a collective management organisation, we see to it that music creators duly receive their royalties. Royalties are calculated as accurately and efficiently as possible to reflect the actual use of their works. We collect the necessary data from the programme information reported by users. This ensures that even authors whose works are not often performed or are only performed in small circles receive the royalties to which they are entitled. SUISA has one of the most accurate and equitable distribution systems in the world.
If you wish, you can also inform us in writing about the uses of your works. For more details, please consult: Reporting performed works.
When the rightholders of a work cannot be identified, the relevant royalties are generally set aside for five years. During that time, SUISA endeavours to obtain the necessary information to enable distribution. If this is not successful, the reserved amounts are applied to benefit rightholders in the five years after they were set aside. The distributable amounts released after five years are applied either to supplemental distributions or to cover costs.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Distribution
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SUISA's tariffs regulate the remuneration for the use of authors’ rights. The Distribution Rules stipulate how the remuneration is distributed to entitled parties.
For uses abroad (e.g. for performances and broadcasts), the rules of the collective management organisation of the relevant host country apply.
Who receives money from the distribution?
The remuneration is distributed to:- authors (e.g. composers, lyricists, arrangers), and
- music publishers
in Switzerland and, through our foreign sister organisations, abroad.
All entitled parties receive a settlement statement showing the share transferred to them.
What is distributed?
We distinguish between:- performance and broadcasting rights, and
- reproduction rights
Unless special agreements are concluded, SUISA applies the distribution key set forth in its Distribution Rules. In certain cases, a different apportionment may be agreed – within certain limits.
Read more about distribution here: "How royalties are distributed"
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SUISA prepares a settlement statement four times a year, on a quarterly basis.
However, certain categories are settled only once a year.
You can view the settlement calendar here: www.suisa.ch – Settlement dates
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After the administration cost-coverage contribution, SUISA makes the following deductions:
- 7.5% of revenues from performance and broadcasting in Switzerland are paid to SUISA's Pension Fund for authors and publishers;
- 2.5% of revenues from performance and broadcasting in Switzerland are paid to the SUISA Foundation for Music which promotes musical creation in Switzerland.
These deductions are not applied to revenues from audio and video on demand uses.
Revenues from abroad are distributed to SUISA members and principals after a deduction of 4% for the additional administrative costs. Legal provisions concerning withholding tax may apply.
Read more about distribution here: "SUISA’s cost-coverage deduction"