Copyright societies may license public viewing
Copyright collecting societies have reason to celebrate: Two months before the start of Euro 08, the Swiss Arbitration Commission ruled that only they are authorized to collect licensing fees for public viewing events at which TV broadcasts are shown to the public simultaneously and unaltered. The approved rate applies to screens with a diagonal measurement of three meters or more.
Copyright societies can rejoice: two months before the start of Euro 08, the Swiss Arbitration Commission has decided that only they may charge license fees for public viewing events at which TV programmes are broadcast simultaneously and unchanged to the public. The Commission approved a corresponding tariff submitted by the copyright societies Suisa, Suissimage, Swissperform, Pro Litteris and SSA together with the user associations. The tariff applies to the reception of television broadcasts on large screens with a diagonal of three meters or more. The tariff does not apply to time-shifted or modified broadcasts or broadcasts supplemented with other content. It is already in force from May 15, but is also valid after the EURO 08. It is therefore not a special
"Euro tariff", emphasized the arbitration commission. "This is very good news for us," said Martin Wüthrich, who as Suisa spokesperson represents all collecting societies in dealings with the media. "Until now, there was no tariff regulating public viewing on screens over 3 meters diagonal, and such events are becoming increasingly common. This decision closes a gap here."
From mid-May, organizers of public viewing events in public squares, stadiums or restaurants will have to pay license fees to the copyright societies. First of all, a distinction is made between providers who charge admission fees and drinks surcharges and those who do not. For the latter category, the entire European Football Championship on the big screen will cost CHF 160 in license fees. That's how much the fee for public viewing costs for thirty days.
If an organizer charges an admission fee or drinks surcharge, the fee is between 624 and 2,500 francs per month and depends on the size of the screen. If the screen diagonal is less than 3 meters, the license fee for public viewing is CHF 26 per month. The music copyright society Suisa collects the fees on behalf of the other copyright societies in Switzerland.
Uefa was not consulted The European Football Association (Uefa) was not allowed to comment on the arbitration committee's proceedings. However, it can appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court. The Sonntagszeitung newspaper speculated in February that a decision by the Arbitration Commission in favor of the collecting societies could have unpleasant consequences for Uefa: This would threaten the football association with the loss of license fees in the millions. Uefa did not want to comment on the decision immediately on Wednesday afternoon, referring to a later announcement.
Suisa spokesperson Wüthrich also declined to comment: "It is now clear that only the collecting societies may license the simultaneous and unaltered showing of TV broadcasts. We have no comment on whether Uefa also has the legitimacy to license this."
It is not yet clear what consequences the decision will have for UBS arenas in 16 cities, for example. "We will discuss the matter with our partners. For the time being, we are continuing full steam ahead on our chosen path," explained Reto Bloesch from the event agency Perron 8, which is organizing the large-scale events. "After all, Euro 08 is only 60 days away." The signal in the UBS arenas will be fed in directly by SRG. Whether the fees are to be paid to the copyright companies in this case still has to be examined.
"Euro tariff", emphasized the arbitration commission. "This is very good news for us," said Martin Wüthrich, who as Suisa spokesperson represents all collecting societies in dealings with the media. "Until now, there was no tariff regulating public viewing on screens over 3 meters diagonal, and such events are becoming increasingly common. This decision closes a gap here."
From mid-May, organizers of public viewing events in public squares, stadiums or restaurants will have to pay license fees to the copyright societies. First of all, a distinction is made between providers who charge admission fees and drinks surcharges and those who do not. For the latter category, the entire European Football Championship on the big screen will cost CHF 160 in license fees. That's how much the fee for public viewing costs for thirty days.
If an organizer charges an admission fee or drinks surcharge, the fee is between 624 and 2,500 francs per month and depends on the size of the screen. If the screen diagonal is less than 3 meters, the license fee for public viewing is CHF 26 per month. The music copyright society Suisa collects the fees on behalf of the other copyright societies in Switzerland.
Uefa was not consulted The European Football Association (Uefa) was not allowed to comment on the arbitration committee's proceedings. However, it can appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court. The Sonntagszeitung newspaper speculated in February that a decision by the Arbitration Commission in favor of the collecting societies could have unpleasant consequences for Uefa: This would threaten the football association with the loss of license fees in the millions. Uefa did not want to comment on the decision immediately on Wednesday afternoon, referring to a later announcement.
Suisa spokesperson Wüthrich also declined to comment: "It is now clear that only the collecting societies may license the simultaneous and unaltered showing of TV broadcasts. We have no comment on whether Uefa also has the legitimacy to license this."
It is not yet clear what consequences the decision will have for UBS arenas in 16 cities, for example. "We will discuss the matter with our partners. For the time being, we are continuing full steam ahead on our chosen path," explained Reto Bloesch from the event agency Perron 8, which is organizing the large-scale events. "After all, Euro 08 is only 60 days away." The signal in the UBS arenas will be fed in directly by SRG. Whether the fees are to be paid to the copyright companies in this case still has to be examined.
