With Alexandra Maurer and Thomas Kramer, a duo is taking over that ProLitteris has known for many years as vice-presidents. Alexandra Maurer is an artist in Geneva and represents visual authors on the administrative board. Thomas Kramer represents the publishing houses. He manages book and art publishing houses in Zurich and was president of the Schweizer Buchhandels- und Verlags-Verband SBVV.
At the General Assembly, Stefan Keller was officially bid farewell. As a historian, journalist, author and president, he shaped ProLitteris with a steady hand and a clear stance. ProLitteris thanks Stefan Keller for his long commitment in favor of authors, publishing houses and members.
Newly elected to the administrative board was Lea Haller. She is a historian, author and, since 2024, secretary general of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences in co-leadership.
According to the 2025 annual report, ProLitteris generated income of CHF 41.3 million. From the activities of ProLitteris, copyright royalties as well as social and cultural benefits amounting to CHF 36.5 million were allocated. The gross administration cost rate was 13.0%, as low as never before in the history of the collective management organization.
Philip Kübler, CEO and attorney-at-law of ProLitteris, placed artificial intelligence at the center of the event. He recalled nine functions of copyright that continue to be needed and that can even be strengthened with AI if the right solutions are found:
- Consent principle. The author determines whether and how a work is used.
- Participation. Royalties individually or collectively, as soon as a work is used.
- Reference. The name and responsibility of the sources remain linked to the work.
- Licenses. Contracts enable value creation after the creation of the work.
- Diversity. Double competition in creation and in use.
- Incentives. Opportunities and successes motivate others.
- Exceptions. A corrective for education, private uses and de minimis uses.
- Legal basis. Copyright is dynamic; it can be adapted.
- Collective management organizations. They ensure that rights and uses are negotiated and verified – a distinctive feature.
ProLitteris supports a revision of the Copyright Act for artificial intelligence – and contributes to the discussion. What is crucial is that the use of protected works continues to be recognized as value creation subject to royalties, but in a legally certain and enforceable form.
Together with a technology partner, ProLitteris has introduced the service «MyCopyright» in recent weeks. It allows secure storage of encrypted drafts and works for later evidence. There can be several reasons for this: human authorship in distinction to AI, preparation of patents and designs, documentation of work steps in regulated sectors.
The 2026 General Assembly of ProLitteris showed two directions: ProLitteris is renewing its leadership and further developing its mission. The technological changes are understood as an opportunity.