Overview of copyright
What is protected?
Works of literature and art (including
computer programs)
How does it become protected?
Automatically at the moment of creation
Minimum requirements
- Literary and artistic creations of the mind that possess an individual character.
- Photographs are protected irrespective of whether they have individual character or not.
No protection for
- Content (i.e. ideas and concepts)
- Laws and official decrees
- Decisions by authorities
- Means of payment
- Patent documents
What are the exceptions?
Private use, citations, back-up copies
and reporting of current events
Scope of protection
Defined by the specific work
Period of protection
Up to 70 years after the death of the author (50 years for computer programs)
50 years from the taking of a photograph without individual character
70 years from the performance/publication of a phonogram or audio-visual fixation
50 years from the transmission of a broadcast.
50 years from the taking of a photograph without individual character
70 years from the performance/publication of a phonogram or audio-visual fixation
50 years from the transmission of a broadcast.
Indications of protection
- ©, «Copyright»
- «All rights reserved»
- «Tous droits réservés»
- or similar
Application fees (CH)
None
Renewal / maintenance fees (CH)
None
Unique to Switzerland
Collective rights management organisations:
SUISA, SUISSIMAGE, ProLitteris, SSA, SWISSPERFORM
SUISA, SUISSIMAGE, ProLitteris, SSA, SWISSPERFORM
Copyright law also regulates the related rights of performing artists, producers of phonograms and broadcasting companies.
