Best Media and Entertainment Lawyers in Arlesheim

About Media and Entertainment Law in Arlesheim, Switzerland

Arlesheim sits in the canton of Basel-Landschaft and benefits from the broader Basel region's active creative economy. Film and TV crews use the area for location shoots, musicians and event promoters stage performances across local venues, agencies and brands produce advertising content, and independent creators publish online across social platforms. Legal rules that apply in Arlesheim are primarily federal Swiss laws, complemented by cantonal and municipal permits for events and filming. Whether you are a producer, musician, influencer, photographer, publisher, venue operator, or startup in gaming and digital media, understanding the legal landscape helps you protect rights, comply with regulations, and close deals with fewer surprises.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Project setup and contracts. Productions and releases typically require written agreements, including option and chain of title documents, production services agreements, location releases, talent and crew agreements, music licenses, distribution agreements, and NDAs. A lawyer can draft, negotiate, and align these contracts with Swiss law.

Copyright and licensing. Using music, footage, images, or scripts without proper licenses can trigger infringement claims or collective management invoices. Counsel can identify rights holders, secure licenses, and structure clearances tailored to your budget and risk profile.

Brand and title protection. Names, logos, show titles, and formats require trademark strategies. A lawyer can search, register, and enforce marks, and advise on unfair competition risks in advertising and influencer work.

Personality, privacy, and defamation. Swiss personality rights are robust. Using a person’s image in advertising, filming in private spaces, or posting critical commentary online can raise legal issues. A lawyer can assess consent needs, right of reply, takedown strategies, and risk of civil or criminal claims.

Data and digital compliance. Websites, apps, mailing lists, and audience analytics must comply with the revised Swiss Data Protection Act and, in many cases, the EU GDPR. Legal guidance helps with privacy notices, processor agreements, cross border transfers, and security obligations.

Events and permits. Public performances, festivals, and location shoots often require municipal permits, noise planning, traffic coordination, and drone approvals. Local legal support helps you navigate authorities and timelines.

Funding, incentives, and tax. Swiss public funding and the new federal cash rebate for film and series can meaningfully improve budgets. Lawyers align eligibility, co production structures, and tax issues, including withholding taxes for non resident performers and VAT questions.

Local Laws Overview

Copyright and neighboring rights. The Swiss Copyright Act applies in Arlesheim and protects literary, musical, photographic, film, software, and other works. Performers, phonogram producers, and broadcasters have neighboring rights. Typical issues include ownership of commissioned works, moral rights, and the scope of licenses.

Collective management. Music and audiovisual uses commonly require licenses from collecting societies such as SUISA for music, SWISSPERFORM for neighboring rights, ProLitteris for text and images, SSA for dramatic works, and SUISSIMAGE for film authors and producers. Tariffs are approved by the federal arbitration commission for copyright and neighboring rights. Event organizers and producers should budget for these fees.

Trademarks and designs. The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property handles trademark and design registration. Clearance searches reduce the risk of opposition or infringement claims. Online domain disputes for .ch and .li can be handled through recognized dispute resolution procedures.

Advertising and unfair competition. The Unfair Competition Act governs claims about misleading or aggressive marketing. Self regulatory guidance from the Swiss Commission for Fairness provides practical rules for disclosures in influencer posts and native advertising. Brands and creators should disclose sponsorships clearly and avoid hidden advertising.

Data protection. The revised Swiss Data Protection Act has applied since 2023 and requires transparent privacy notices, appropriate security, and data processing agreements with vendors. If you target EU based audiences or monitor their behavior, the GDPR may also apply extraterritorially.

Personality rights and media law. Swiss Civil Code provisions protect personality and image rights, including a right of reply in periodical media. The Radio and Television Act regulates broadcasting and certain on demand services. The Swiss Criminal Code includes insult and defamation offenses, which can be triggered by online publications.

Employment and freelancers. The Swiss Code of Obligations and the Labor Act govern employment, working time, and health and safety. Using minors in performances requires special care and, in some cases, prior authorization from the cantonal labor authority. Clarify whether crew are employees or independent contractors to avoid social security and tax surprises.

Events, filming, and permits. For public space filming or events in Arlesheim, you typically coordinate with the municipal administration and the cantonal police for location access, traffic management, security, and noise rules. Nighttime noise restrictions and quiet hours may apply. For drone filming, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation rules require operator registration and, in many cases, pilot training and additional authorizations, especially near controlled airspace in the Basel region.

Tax and social security. Non resident artists and athletes can be subject to Swiss withholding tax on performance income. Productions and venues must consider social security contributions and accident insurance for staff. VAT applies to many services at the federal rate in force, with exemptions for certain cultural services. Project specific analysis is important.

Funding and incentives. The Federal Office of Culture provides selective support for development, production, and distribution. As of 2024, Switzerland offers a federal cash rebate for eligible spend on qualifying film and series productions, subject to cultural test and minimum spending thresholds. Regional bodies in Northwestern Switzerland may offer complementary support or networking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to film in public places in Arlesheim

Often yes. Small footprint filming on public land may be possible with simple notification, but larger shoots usually require a municipal permit, proof of liability insurance, and coordination with cantonal police for traffic or crowd management. Private property always requires the owner’s written consent.

How do music licenses work for events or videos

Live events and audiovisual productions usually need licenses from collecting societies. For events, organizers report setlists and pay tariffs to SUISA and, where applicable, to SWISSPERFORM. For film or online videos, you may need both synchronization rights directly from the rightsholder and performing or communication to the public licenses from the societies.

Are influencers required to disclose paid content in Switzerland

Yes. Under unfair competition rules and advertising standards, commercial posts must be recognizably advertising. Clear indicators such as ad or sponsored in the language of the audience are expected at the beginning of the post. Hidden advertising risks complaints and sanctions.

Can I film people in public without asking for consent

Filming in public places is generally allowed, but publishing identifiable footage can infringe personality rights if the portrayal is intrusive or commercial. Use releases for featured individuals, avoid unnecessary close ups of private persons, and take extra care with children. Editorial uses tied to newsworthy events enjoy broader latitude.

What contracts are essential for a Swiss film or video production

Key documents include chain of title for the screenplay, producer or co production agreements, crew and talent agreements with buyouts and moral rights clauses, location releases, music licenses, post production and VFX agreements, errors and omissions insurance warranties, and distribution or sales agency agreements.

What should foreign artists know about visas and taxes

Non Swiss nationals may need work authorization for performances or shoots, even for short stays. Non resident performers can be subject to withholding tax on Swiss performance income. Engage immigration and tax planning early, coordinate with the promoter or production company, and keep contracts and itineraries available for authorities.

How do I protect a show title or band name

Register a trademark with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property and secure relevant domains and social handles. Clearance searches reduce the risk of conflicts. Use consistent branding in commerce to build distinctiveness and enforce against confusingly similar uses.

What is the new Swiss cash rebate for film and can I use it in Basel-Landschaft

Switzerland offers a federal cash rebate for eligible spend on qualifying films and series produced in the country. Productions shooting or spending in Basel-Landschaft can apply if they meet cultural, financial, and organizational criteria. Plan early since applications, budget tracking, and audits are required.

Someone posted defamatory content about me online. What can I do

Options include a right of reply in periodical media, civil claims for infringement of personality rights, and in serious cases criminal complaints for defamation or insult. Preserve evidence with timestamps, request platform takedowns, and consult counsel to select the fastest and most proportionate remedy.

What should I know about drone filming around Arlesheim

Drone operations must follow Federal Office of Civil Aviation rules. Registration is required for most drones with cameras, pilot training may be needed, and specific authorizations apply for flights over people, at night, or in controlled airspace. Always check local restrictions and coordinate with authorities before flying.

Additional Resources

Federal Office of Communications. Regulates broadcasting and media, licensing for radio and TV, spectrum issues, and right of reply in broadcasting.

Federal Office of Culture. Film funding and the federal production incentive, cultural policy, and support programs for audiovisual works.

Collecting societies. SUISA for music authors and publishers, SWISSPERFORM for neighboring rights, SUISSIMAGE for film authors and producers, ProLitteris for text and images, and SSA for dramatic and audiovisual authors.

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. Trademarks, designs, patent information, and guidance on IP protection and searches.

Federal Office of Civil Aviation. Drone operations rules, pilot qualifications, and authorizations relevant to aerial filming.

Canton Basel-Landschaft cultural and economic promotion offices. Guidance on local permits, event support, and cultural funding opportunities.

Municipality of Arlesheim administration. Local filming and event permits, public space use, and noise or traffic coordination.

Film and media networks in the Basel region. Regional film commissions and associations that assist with locations, crew, and production resources.

Swiss Commission for Fairness. Self regulatory body for advertising standards and influencer disclosure guidance.

Domain name and dispute services. SWITCH registry for .ch and .li and recognized arbitration bodies for domain disputes.

Next Steps

Map your rights and risks. List every asset you will use or create scripts, footage, music, logos, photos, brand names, data and identify the rights you have and the rights you still need.

Assemble core documents. Gather contracts, prior licenses, chain of title, company registration, insurance certificates, privacy notices, and any prior clearances or permits.

Plan the timetable. Work backwards from release or shoot dates to schedule permit lead times, collective management notifications, grant or incentive deadlines, and insurance binding.

Engage local counsel early. A media and entertainment lawyer familiar with Basel-Landschaft procedures and federal rules can optimize contracts, clearances, and permits, and can coordinate with municipal offices in Arlesheim.

Budget for compliance. Allocate funds for collecting society tariffs, insurance, permit fees, legal review, and contingency for last minute rights issues. This reduces delays at delivery to broadcasters, streamers, or distributors.

Set up compliance workflows. Implement consent and release collection on set, music cue sheets, data protection checklists for websites and apps, and a takedown response plan for online infringements or defamation.

Document everything. Keep written approvals, location permits, safety plans, and versions of marketing materials. Accurate records speed up audits, funding disbursements, and dispute resolution.

If you need immediate help. Prioritize urgent actions cease and desist letters, platform takedowns, permit applications, or interim measures, then follow with longer term solutions such as contract revisions or brand registrations.