Cooperative Society for Music Authors and Publishers

SUISA (Cooperative Society for Music Authors and Publishers) is a Swiss collective management organization founded in 1923 that licenses the public performance, broadcasting, reproduction, and digital use of musical works in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It represents over 45,000 composers, lyricists, and music publishers, plus approximately 2 million creators worldwide through agreements with over 100 sister societies. In 2025, SUISA achieved a record turnover of CHF 238.3 million and distributed CHF 191.7 million to rightsholders.

How SUISA Works

SUISA issues licenses to radio stations, television networks, streaming platforms, concert venues, restaurants, retail stores, hotels, gyms, cinemas, and over 120,000 customers that play music publicly in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Collected fees are distributed to rights holders based on usage data from broadcast logs, streaming reports, concert programs, and venue reporting. SUISA operates one of the most accurate and equitable distribution systems in the world, using program information reported by users to ensure even lesser-performed works receive their rightful royalties.

SUISA operates as a cooperative (Genossenschaft) owned and governed by its members. The organization employs approximately 220 people across three locations. The 2026 General Meeting took place on June 23, 2026, at the Kaufleuten in Zurich in hybrid format, allowing voting members to participate either in person or online via live streaming in German and French.

In 2025, SUISA's group license revenues reached CHF 215.6 million, up 2.7% from 2024 (CHF 209.9 million). Total turnover, including secondary income and investment returns, was CHF 238.3 million, up 2.1% from the previous year. Domestic revenue from licensing in Switzerland and Liechtenstein totaled CHF 161.2 million.

Performance rights revenue reached CHF 64.5 million in 2025, up 6.8% from 2024 (CHF 60.4 million), driven by background music in offices, restaurants, and retail stores, plus concerts. For the first time, performance rights revenue exceeded broadcasting rights revenue, which was CHF 60.8 million. Blank media levies generated CHF 16.4 million (up 10.6%), and reproduction rights brought in CHF 3.7 million (up 10.5%).

Online revenue showed a mixed picture. Online revenue in Switzerland and Liechtenstein rose 20.5% to CHF 15.8 million, while worldwide administered online rights declined 7.6% to CHF 41.6 million. Revenue from the use of SUISA's repertoire abroad reached CHF 12.8 million, up 2.1%.

SUISA reduced total operating expenses by 7.2% to CHF 39.7 million despite increased work volume, thanks to cost discipline and active receivables management. The average cost-coverage deduction was 12.96%, meaning SUISA distributes CHF 87 for every CHF 100 collected. The organization received 4,732,858 work declarations in 2025.

SUISA also manages social security contributions. In 2025, 7.5% of performance and broadcasting rights revenue in Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CHF 8.7 million) was contributed to members' social security. The FONDATION SUISA promotes Swiss and Liechtenstein music domestically and abroad with CHF 2.9 million allocated for 2026.

In 2017, SUISA and SESAC established the joint venture Mint Digital Services, which handles copyright administration and royalty processing. SUISA represents the world music repertoire in Switzerland and Liechtenstein through agreements with over 100 sister societies.

Real-World Example

A Swiss songwriter joins SUISA and registers 18 songs. A Zurich radio station plays 8 of those songs in a given quarter, Spotify reports 300,000 streams of 12 songs, and a concert venue in Bern holds a SUISA license for a live performance. SUISA collects royalties from all three sources.

The songwriter receives a quarterly distribution based on the radio logs, streaming data, and the venue's license fee. SUISA distributes royalties on a quarterly schedule: March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15, with additional settlements for foreign royalties, online revenue, and video-on-demand throughout the year.

If the same songs are played on radio in Germany, SUISA's reciprocal agreement with GEMA means GEMA collects those royalties and remits them to SUISA, which distributes them to the songwriter in the next foreign settlement (mid-March, mid-June, mid-September, or mid-December).

With SUISA's CHF 87 per CHF 100 distribution rate, if CHF 10,000 in royalties is collected for a songwriter's works, approximately CHF 8,700 is paid to the writer and publisher (split according to registered shares) and CHF 1,300 covers administrative costs. A Swiss songwriter with 18 registered songs receiving regular airplay and moderate streaming activity might earn anywhere from CHF 1,000 to CHF 100,000 or more annually, depending on the scale of usage.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a Swiss or Liechtenstein-based songwriter, composer, lyricist, or publisher, SUISA membership is the only practical way to collect performance and mechanical royalties when your music is played publicly. Without it, you are not collecting royalties from radio, TV, streaming platforms, live venues, or businesses that use your music.

SUISA's CHF 87 per CHF 100 distribution rate is competitive among European PROs. The 12.96% average cost-coverage deduction means the organization keeps less than 13% of collected revenue for operations, with the rest going to rights holders. This is a better ratio than many larger PROs.

Register every composition with SUISA before commercial release. Unregistered works earn zero royalties, even if they receive significant airplay. Submit accurate metadata including ISRC codes, ISWC numbers, and split sheets. SUISA's distribution system is among the most accurate in the world, but it depends on correct registration data to match performances to rights holders.

SUISA handles both performing rights and mechanical (reproduction) rights, simplifying administration for Swiss creators. You do not need to join a separate mechanical rights organization. The CHF 3.7 million in reproduction rights revenue and CHF 15.8 million in domestic online revenue in 2025 reflect this integrated approach.

If your music is played internationally, SUISA's agreements with over 100 sister societies mean those royalties flow back to you. The CHF 12.8 million in foreign revenue in 2025 demonstrates the global reach of Swiss music. Ensure your works are registered so international performances are tracked.

SUISA's social security contributions are a distinctive benefit. The CHF 8.7 million contributed in 2025 goes toward the Pension Fund for Authors and Publishers, which provides retirement pensions and financial assistance to creative artists in situations of hardship. This is a benefit beyond royalty collection that directly supports members' long-term financial security.

Related Resources

• Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
• Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
• Mechanical Royalties - How mechanical royalties work through SUISA
• Blanket License - The licensing model used by SUISA
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• SUISA Official Website - Visit SUISA for membership and licensing information
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings