In Switzerland one tariff, Common Tariff 3a (GT 3a), covers background music, radio and TV in shops, restaurants and business premises. SUISA invoices it for all five Swiss collecting societies.
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| SUISA | SUISA | Authors and publishers; invoicing office for GT 3a |
| SWISSPERFORM | SWISSPERFORM | Performers and producers; share included in GT 3a |
| Others | ProLitteris, SUISSIMAGE, SSA | Text, audiovisual and stage works; co parties to GT 3a |
GT 3a covers background music, radio and TV and films in shops, restaurants, business premises, guest rooms, holiday homes, music on hold and company cars. SUISA is the sole invoicing office on behalf of ProLitteris, SSA, SUISA, SUISSIMAGE and SWISSPERFORM.
Screens over 3 metres diagonal fall under GT 3c instead. GT 3a 2019 to 2026 expires on 31 December 2026; a successor tariff for 2027 was not checked.
The fee is set per location and calendar month by the area where music is audible (5 m2 per seat if the area is unknown), by lines for music on hold, and by audio or audiovisual use. The base fee covers up to 1000 m2, with supplements above.
2026 example: base fee CHF 19.20 per calendar month and location for audio use up to 1000 m2 (CHF 14.40 copyright plus CHF 4.80 neighbouring rights), excluding VAT; audiovisual use CHF 20.80. Registering through the customer portal gives 5% off.
SUISA says contracts with streaming or radio providers do not replace a SUISA licence; what matters is audibility outside the private sphere, whatever the source. Consumer plans of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal, noncommercial use under their own terms, so a private account is not a license to play music to customers.
SUISA states there are no exemptions from the GT 3a fee. The tariff applies to the repertoires of the participating societies. For AI generated songs SUISA says it cannot waive licensing unless the user credibly shows that no copyrights are infringed, so in practice the burden is on the user.
The neighbouring rights share (Swissperform) is a statutory remuneration under Art. 35 URG. Whether Art. 35(3) reserves it to licensed societies could not be verified for this guide. Public domain works generate no copyright royalties.
Under GT 3a section D fees are doubled if repertoire is used without a licence or if the user gives wrong or incomplete information on purpose or through gross negligence. Late self registration is invoiced retroactively at the normal rate.
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society, and the Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives the venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music.
In Switzerland the position for music outside the societies is unclear: SUISA says GT 3a has no exemptions and puts the burden of proof on the user, and the Swissperform share is a statutory remuneration whose collection rule was not verified. Ask SUISA in writing, with the Dr.DIO certificate and track list, before you assume no GT 3a fee is due.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
Under GT 3a the 2026 base fee is CHF 19.20 per calendar month and location for audio use up to 1000 m2, excluding VAT.
Restaurants pay by the area where music is audible, or 5 m2 per seat if unknown, per location and calendar month. The base fee covers up to 1000 m2.
Yes, if music is audible to the public. SUISA states there are no exemptions from GT 3a.
No. SUISA says streaming contracts do not replace its licence, and personal plans are for personal use only.
It is the neighbouring rights part of the GT 3a invoice, CHF 4.80 of the CHF 19.20 monthly base fee in 2026.
GT 3a doubles the fee for unlicensed use or deliberately wrong information, and further damages are reserved.
