BECAUSE CULTURE IS A VALUABLE ASSET.

How it works

1Become a member

Only members and principals of SWISSPERFORM participate in the distribution of the remuneration.

2Register your contributions

You may provide us with details on your contributions (film or recording) by filling out the forms.

3You receive your money

SWISSPERFORM conducts yearly distributions to the members and the right holders.

SWISSPERFORM represents two groups of artists: performers of the audiovisual sector, such as actors, dancers, etc. and performers of the audio sectors, such as musicians, conductors, singers, etc.

Audiovisual performers, such as actors, dancers, musicians, narrators, etc., who contributed to productions used by the TV broadcasters, are entitled to remunerations from SWISSPERFORM.

This distribution category includes actors who appeared in a feature or TV film or in a series that was broadcast in one of the national relevant TV programmes of the SRG.

Any relevant TV broadcasts are captured and evaluated by Suissimage.

You may provide us with details on your contribution by filling out the filmography form online.

This distribution category includes film musicians, performances by narrators and dubbers as well as concert broadcasts, theatre, cabaret, dance productions etc. The distribution is made by the Swiss Performers’ Cooperative Society SIG on behalf of SWISSPERFORM. Such usage has to be reported to SIG on an annual basis. Please use the respective forms to do so, you can download them from SIG’s website.

Please read our distribution information sheet and our  distribution rules for further information on the distribution to performers.

  • End of January: Filmographies must be received by SWISSPERFORM on 31 January at the latest. The ordinary settlement takes place two years after the year of broadcasting.

  • Middle of June: Annual main and two supplementary distributions, as well as forwarded payments from abroad. The payment will be made on 13 June 2024.

  • End of December: The annual main distribution for the other audiovisual performances takes place at the end of each year.

Do you have any questions? Please contact us.

Artists
Annina LutzHead of Member & Documentation Service / Distribution Audiovisionaudiovision@swissperform.ch
+41 44 269 70 50

We need to obtain your recent postal address in case of a removal to make sure that our payoffs reach the receiver properly.

SWISSPERFORM represents the interests of performers, producers and broadcasters which is why it is not in a position to provide legal advice services only tailored to performers. Hence this service has been outsourced.

The Swiss Performers’ Cooperative Society SIG offers legal advice for performers on behalf and at the expense of SWISSPERFORM. This free service applies primarily for queries concerning the following areas:

  • exploitation and neighbouring rights
  • audio and audiovisual recordings and their exploitation
  • contract law, tax or social security related queries as well as questions concerning recordings of performances on audio and audiovisual carriers.

Queries related to other areas are forwarded by SIG to the respective associations. Here you can find more information (in german only) and rules about the distribution for performers (SIG).

Schweizerische Interpretengenossenschaft SIG
Kasernenstrasse 15
8004 Zurich
info@interpreten.ch
T +41 43 322 10 60

Coopérative suisse des artistes interprètes SIG
Avenue du Grammont 11bis
1007 Lausanne
antenneromande@interpreten.ch
T +41 32 724 31 25

Theaterschaffen Schweiz

Waisenhausplatz 30
Atelier 157
3011 Bern

tpunkt.ch
T +41 31 312 80 08
info@tpunkt.ch

SONART – Musikschaffende Schweiz

Konradstrasse 61
8005 Zurich

sonart.swiss
T +41 31 511 52 60
info@sonart.swiss

Schweizerischer Berufsdirigentinnen- und Berufsdirigenten-Verband SBDV

Geschäftsstelle
6000 Lucerne

sbdv.ch
Peter Aregger, president SBDV: T +41 79 439 17 37
sekretariat@sbdv.ch

SzeneSchweiz

Kasernenstrasse 15
8004 Zurich

szeneschweiz.ch
T +41 44 380 77 77
info@szeneschweiz.ch

Antenne romande

Schweizerische Interpretengenossenschaft SIG
Avenue du Grammont 11bis
1007 Lausanne

interpreten.ch
T +41 32 724 31 25
antenneromande@interpreten.ch

Schweizerischer Musikerverband (SMV)

Kasernenstrasse 15
8004 Zurich

smv.ch
T +41 43 322 05 22
info@smv.ch

Schweizer Syndikat Film und Video (SSFV)

Heinrichstrasse 147
8005 Zurich

ssfv.ch
T +41 44 272 21 49
info@ssfv.ch

Syndicat suisse romande du spectacle (SSRS)

P.O. Box 91
1000 Lausanne 16

ssrs.ch
T +41 76 588 29 63
info@ssrs.ch

Vereinigung professioneller Sprecherinnen und Sprecher (VPS)

P.O. Box
8031 Zurich

vps-asp.ch
T +41 44 272 21 40
info@vps-asp.ch

Yes, SWISSPERFORM manages your rights as a performing artist (musician, actor etc.). SUISA is responsible for your rights as an author (composer or lyricist/songwriter).

No, for performers it is sufficient to sign one copy.

No. You appear as yourself; you don’t assume a role.

No. Extras do not count as an individually identifiable performance.

Yes. However, the parts are (except roles in series) weighted according to the number of shooting days. There are three different categories (A,B and C). Speaker performances, on the other hand, are weighted according to the number of takes.

Yes. We must be able to allocate your contribution to a specific episode, otherwise we are not able to distribute remuneration to you. The name of the series is only sufficient if your role appears in every episode.

Audio performers, such as musicians, singers, conductors, speakers, etc., who contributed to productions that are used by radio and TV stations have a right to receive remuneration from SWISSPERFORM.

This distribution is based on the actual usage (radio and television airplay) of commercially published sound recordings and music videos. In order to receive the correct share of the distribution, each member must provide SWISSPERFORM with their discography on time.

Recordings can be registered by using our discography form.

This kind of distribution is based on the usage of performances on the audio track of an audiovisual recording:

  • Score music on the audio track on audiovisual recordings
  • Commercially published sound recordings on audiovisual recordings
  • Library music on audiovisual recordings
  • Music in television commercials, signets

The distribution is run by the Swiss Performers’ Cooperative Society SIG on behalf of SWISSPERFORM. Such usage must be reported to SIG on an annual basis.

Please use the respective forms to do so, you can download them from SIG’s website.

This kind of distribution is based on the usage of concert broadcasts, radio plays, commercials etc. on the radio and is run by the Swiss Performers’ Cooperative Society SIG on behalf of SWISSPERFORM. Such usage must be reported to SIG on an annual basis. Please use the respective forms to do so, you can download them from  SIG’s website.

Distribution for commercially published phonograms and music videos.

  • End of February: Discographies must be received by SWISSPERFORM by 29 February at the latest.

Distribution of live perfomances and phonograms that were not commercially published.

Radio

  • Concert broadcasts, own recordings for radio stations
  • Voice-over and musical performances for radio plays
  • Voice-over and musical performances in commercials, jingles and signete

TV (film music)

  • Music (score music, library music, commercial soundtracks) on the soundtrack of audiovisual productions
  • Music in TV commercials, signets

TV (Other performances)

  • Concert broadcasts, theatre, cabaret and dance productions
  • Artistic performances in TV shows or similar formats
  • Dance and acting performances in video clips
  • Voice actors, dubbing actors in documentaries or features with documentary character, animated films
  • Actors, voice actors and dubbing actors in commercials, signets

Broadcast reportings must reach the Swiss Performers' Cooperative Society SIG no later than 30 June 2024.

Distribution for commercially published phonograms and music videos.

  • Discographies must be received by SWISSPERFORM by 30 June 2024 at the latest.

Settlement statements will be sent on 25 June 2024 and will be paid on 16 July 2024.

  • As of this year, annual supplementary distributions and transfers of payments from abroad will again be paid in the middle of the year.

  • The settlement for the annual main distribution for the usage of rights in 2023 including transfers from abroad will be sent on 22 November 2024
  • Remunerations will be paid on 13 December 2024.

  • End of december: Annual main and supplementary distribution (of live performances and phonograms that were not commercially published).

Do you have any questions? Please contact us.

Artists
Michael KnoblochHead of Member Services Phono info@swissperform.ch
+41 44 269 70 50

Accompanying measures

The term of protection for owners or neighbouring rights on musical compositions with lyrics was extended on 01 September 2014 from 50 to 70 years in the Principality of Liechtenstein (FL). On 1 April 2020, the same adaptation also came into force in the Swiss Copyright Act.

In line with the extension of the protection term, some accompanying measures were put in place. They only apply in relation to the Principality of Liechtenstein.

«use it or lose it» – clause (Art. 37 para. 5 CopA -FL)

Should a producer of sound recordings not provide a recording in the form of a media carrier or download 50 years after the legitimate publication (and/or legitimate public performance) of the sound recording, the performing artists shall have the option to terminate their contract with the producer. A prerequisite for the validity of such a termination is that the producer does not execute one of the two requested ways of exploitation (publication of a sound recording or online-publication) within a year of the artist giving him notice of termination.

In order to establish this claim, performing artists must get in touch with their producer of sound recordings directly!

«clean slate» – clause (Art. 41a para. 5 CopA -FL)

Performing artists who had an agreement with the producer of sound recordings on recurring payments (usually a share per sound recording sold) should be given the opportunity to have a fresh start in the year after the 50th year following the legitimate publication (and/or public performance) of the sound recording. In other words: producers of sound recordings must pay the remuneration they owe to the performing artist until the extended term of protection expires without any previously agreed deductions or advance payments.

In order to establish this claim, performing artists must get in touch with their producer of sound recordings directly!

Additional annual remuneration (Art. 41a para. 1-4 CopA-FL)

Performing artists who were remunerated for the contribution to a sound recording with a one-off lump sum shall – following the 50th year of the legitimate publication and/or legitimate public performance of the sound recording – be entitled to receive an additional (annual) remuneration until the extended term of protection expires.

In order to establish this claim, performing artists must get in touch with SWISSPERFORM!

The following prerequisites must be fulfilled in their entirety in order to qualify for such an entitlement:

  • The recording must have been legitimately published and/or publicly performed after 01 January 1964, but at least 50 years ago, and it is still available on commercially released sound recordings or online.
  • The recording has a unique relation to Liechtenstein (e.g. producer of the sound recording has a claim on payments due to usages in Liechtenstein).
  • You have contributed to the recording as a performing artist.
  • Your contribution as an artist has been remunerated with a one-off lump sum (i.e. no recurring payments e.g. for each sound recording sold).

If all of the above requirements are fulfilled, please contact us and provide us with the following details:

  • Information on the performing artist(s) involved
  • Title register of the recording(s) in question
  • Information on the sound recording (producer, catalogue number etc.) and/or the online publication
  • Copy of the contract between the performing artist and the producer of sound recordings

Please send your information to:

SWISSPERFORM
Member Service
Kasernenstrasse 23
8004 Zurich

E-mail

We need to obtain your recent postal address in case of a removal to make sure that our payoffs reach the receiver properly.

Change of address form

SWISSPERFORM represents the interests of performers, producers and broadcasters which is why it is not in a position to provide legal advice services only tailored to performers. Hence this service has been outsourced.

The Swiss Performers’ Cooperative Society SIG offers legal advice for performers on behalf and at the expense of SWISSPERFORM. This free service applies primarily for queries concerning the following areas:

  • exploitation and neighbouring rights
  • audio and audiovisual recordings and their exploitation
  • contract law, tax or social security related queries as well as questions concerning recordings of performances on audio and audiovisual carriers.

Queries related to other areas are forwarded by SIG to the respective associations. Here you can find more information (in german only) and rules about the distribution for performers (SIG).

Schweizerische Interpretengenossenschaft SIG
Kasernenstrasse 15
8004 Zurich
info@interpreten.ch
T +41 43 322 10 60

Coopérative suisse des artistes interprètes SIG
Avenue du Grammont 11bis
1007 Lausanne
antenneromande@interpreten.ch
T +41 32 724 31 25

Theaterschaffen Schweiz

Waisenhausplatz 30
Atelier 157
3011 Bern

tpunkt.ch
T +41 31 312 80 08
info@tpunkt.ch

SONART – Musikschaffende Schweiz

Konradstrasse 61
8005 Zurich

sonart.swiss
T +41 31 511 52 60
info@sonart.swiss

Schweizerischer Berufsdirigentinnen- und Berufsdirigenten-Verband SBDV

Geschäftsstelle
6000 Lucerne

sbdv.ch
Peter Aregger, president SBDV: T +41 79 439 17 37
sekretariat@sbdv.ch

SzeneSchweiz

Kasernenstrasse 15
8004 Zurich

szeneschweiz.ch
T +41 44 380 77 77
info@szeneschweiz.ch

Antenne romande

Schweizerische Interpretengenossenschaft SIG
Avenue du Grammont 11bis
1007 Lausanne

interpreten.ch
T +41 32 724 31 25
antenneromande@interpreten.ch

Schweizerischer Musikerverband (SMV)

Kasernenstrasse 15
8004 Zurich

smv.ch
T +41 43 322 05 22
info@smv.ch

Schweizer Syndikat Film und Video (SSFV)

Heinrichstrasse 147
8005 Zurich

ssfv.ch
T +41 44 272 21 49
info@ssfv.ch

Syndicat suisse romande du spectacle (SSRS)

P.O. Box 91
1000 Lausanne 16

ssrs.ch
T +41 76 588 29 63
info@ssrs.ch

Vereinigung professioneller Sprecherinnen und Sprecher (VPS)

P.O. Box
8031 Zurich

vps-asp.ch
T +41 44 272 21 40
info@vps-asp.ch

The term of protection usually starts with the publication of the audio or audiovisual recording and lasts 70 years. (Art. 39 para. 2 CopA).

All claims of right holders against SWISSPERFORM lapse after a period of five years after the main distribution has been run; however at the latest by 31 December of the sixth year following the respective usage (cf. item 1.5.7 distribution rules).

It is sufficient for you to become a member of SWISSPERFORM. SIG runs the distribution on behalf of SWISSPERFORM. As a consequence, it is only necessary for you to be a member of SWISSPERFORM.

Each musician usually has to register individually with SWISSPERFORM. However, for large music formations with a low repertoire exploitation, we have established a simplified pay-out system.

Please contact our member services department for further information.

T +41 44 269 70 50 / info@swissperform.ch

Yes, SWISSPERFORM manages your rights as a performing artist (musician, actor etc.). SUISA is responsible for your rights as an author (composer or lyricist/songwriter).

Yes, if you are a musician you are only a member as a performer. You need to register separately as a producer.

Please note that here we are talking about your quality as an economic producer. As an artistic producer, again, the performer contract is sufficient.

No, if you are a performer, it is sufficient to sign the agreement once.