Music in videos

When producing videos with music in Switzerland or Liechtenstein and making them available to the public, you must register the videos with SUISA.

What is it, a video or a film?

SUISA distinguishes between the following:
A film (or movie or motion picture) is an artistic recording or a reproduction of moving images and sound with a story line. Films are played in cinemas, on TV, or on video-on-demand platforms (VoD). The conventional formats are feature films, series played on TV or VoD platforms, and documentaries.

Videos are generally shorter and less formal than films. Videos are recorded on digital devices and disseminated on websites, social media platforms, and other platforms such as YouTube. Formats include tutorial videos, corporate image films, commercials and advertising films, short videos by content creators and music videos.

If you want to produce a film with music and make it accessible, follow this link.

Licence fees

The fees for the remuneration of authors’ rights depend on whether or not the video is used for advertising purposes, the amount of the advertising budget, and the type of music used in the video.  

What is a “non-advertising video”?

A non-advertising video is a production that does not promote a product and is not part of an advertising campaign. For example a video production made available online for the purpose of presenting a company.

Non-advertising videos

  • Media budget less than CHF 1,000
    • Educational and tutorial videos
    • Image videos (outside campaigns)
    • Employer branding videos
    • Amateur videos

What is an “advertising video”?

An advertising video is a commercial or sponsoring video aired in cinemas, on TV, or on social media as part of an advertising campaign with a view to promoting products and services. 

Advertising videos:

  • Media budget more than CHF 1,000
  • Advertising campaigns
    • Commercials
    • Sponsoring videos
    • Image films (with campaign)
    • Sponsored influencer videos