SUISA payments are a “bonus in June” for Sophie Burande and Léonard Gogniat of Carrousel, as mentioned in an interview, and “a recognition of the work involved in writing lyrics and composing music”. In another conversation with us, Camilla Sparksss alias Barbara Lehnhoff said that she considered SUISA settlements as a helpful and “lovely Christmas present each year”.
Whether Christmas present or “summer bonus”: The points in time where SUISA members can look forward to receiving their copyright royalties are connected to the SUISA settlement dates. Members who are due royalties on the basis of SUISA’s distribution rules, receive a payment on these dates.
The rhythm of payments to authors and publishers had been increased a while ago: From 2015 onwards, SUISA introduced quarterly settlements. As a consequence, the collected remuneration will be passed on to rights holders four times per year.
Quarterly distribution of collections to authors and publishers
In 2017, SUISA will continue with its quarterly distributions that it had successfully introduced previously. There are only minor modifications compared to the previous year. These few improvements are another step in the direction of SUISA’s goal to pay out the remuneration as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
The distribution category SRG TV is paid out more quickly: Previously, the distribution of collections from this category took place twice a year. From 2017 onwards, the relevant remuneration will be paid out four times per year in the course of the quarterly settlements. SRG is the biggest licensee, or customer, of SUISA. As a consequence, the remuneration amounts in category SRG TV that are now paid out more quickly to authors and publishers of the broadcast music are relatively high.
From 2017 onwards, advertising window settlements will no longer be run separately but as part of the 3rd quarterly payment in mid-September. The integration of this supplementary settlement into the quarterly distribution is a simplification of the handling process and thus saves costs.
Overview of SUISA’s 2017 settlements calendar
Settlement | Date |
Quarterly settlement 2017-1 | 15/03/2017 |
Domestic performing rights, tariffs: D, K, Z (3rd quarter 2016) | |
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio 3rd quarter 2016) | |
Reproduction rights, tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (3rd quarter 2016) | |
Reproduction rights online (Downloads & Streaming) | |
Supplementary settlements | |
Adjustments 2017, 1st settlement | End of March |
Settlements from abroad: Performing, broadcasting and reproduction rights 2017, 1st settlement | End of May |
Quarterly settlement 2017-2 | 15/06/2017 |
Domestic performing rights, tariffs: B, C, D, E, H, Hb, HV, K, Z (2016) | |
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio 4th quarter 2016) | |
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG TV, 2nd semester 2016) | |
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG commercials 2016) | |
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariffs: S, Y (2016) | |
Reproduction rights, tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (4th quarter 2016) | |
Reproduction rights, central licensing (2nd semester 2016) | |
Reproduction rights, online (Downloads & Streaming) | |
Supplementary settlements | |
Publishers’ pension benefits | Beginning of July |
Authors’ pension benefits | Mid-July |
Quarterly settlement 2017-3 | 15/09/2017 |
Domestic performing rights, tariffs: D, K, Z (1st quarter 2017) | |
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio & TV, 1st quarter 2017) | |
Advertising windows (2015) | |
Reproduction rights, tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (1st quarter 2017) | |
Reproduction rights, online (Downloads & Streaming) | |
Blank media levy (CT 4), settlement 2017 | |
Sub-publisher shares cable networks, settlement 2017 | |
Supplementary settlements | |
Adjustments 2017, 2nd settlement | End of September |
Re-recording rights settlement, 2017 | End of October |
Settlements from abroad: Performing, broadcasting and reproduction rights 2017, 2nd settlement | End of November |
Quarterly settlement 2017-4 | 15/12/2017 |
Domestic performing rights, tariffs: D, K, Z (2nd quarter 2017) | |
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio & TV, 2nd quarter) | |
Reproduction rights, tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (2nd quarter 2017) | |
Reproduction rights, central licensing (1st semester 2017) | |
Reproduction rights, online (Downloads & Streaming) |
Further information is available on the SUISA website in the form of explanations of the SUISA settlement and a list of the private broadcasters included in the settlements.