A performing rights organization's (PRO) function is collecting performing rights royalties on behalf of its members, composers and music publishers. The PRO then distributes these royalties to its members, minus the PRO's administration costs. Most composers and publishers at Iamusic.com have a agreements with a PRO.

PROs license public performances of their members' music which includes network television, cable TV, cable movie channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.), use in nightclubs, stores, restaurants and other public performances. PROs only licenses performing rights, and only non-dramatic performing rights.

Dramatic Rights (which are not licensed by the PROs) include performances you would see on Broadway or other theater type of performance. These rights are negotiated directly with either the composer, the publisher or their representative. Performance royalties are collected for movie theater performances in almost every country except the United States of America.

Rights such as mechanical rights, grand rights, master rights or synchronization rights are NOT licensed by PROs. PROs license performing rights only.

Performing rights organizations monitor their members' music when it is performed on the radio. In Television and Film performances, PROs use what is known as a Cue Sheet to keep track of whose music is used in which broadcast or film. These Cue Sheets are filled out by the producer and submitted to each PRO who has a member represented on the Cue Sheet. The fees paid to the performing rights organizations are typically paid by the broadcaster and are not the responsibility of the producer.

This is just a brief introduction to performing rights organizations. For further information, please contact the PRO directly.

 USA ASCAP , BMI , SESAC
United Kingdom PRS
Argentina SADAIC
Australia APRA
Austria AKM
Belgium SABAM
Brazil UBC, ECAD
Bulgaria Musicautor
Canada SOCAN
Chile SCD
Colombia SAYCO
Croatia HDS
Czech Republic OSA
Denmark KODA
Estonia EAÜ
Finland TEOSTO
France SACEM
Germany GEMA
Greece AEPI
Hong Kong CASH
Hungary Artisjus
Iceland STEF
India IPRS
Ireland IMRO
Israel ACUM
Italy SIAE
Japan JASRAC
Lithuania LATGA-A
Malaysia MACP
Mexico SACM
Netherlands BUMA
New Zealand APRA
Norway TONO
Poland ZAIKS
Portugal SPA
Russia RAO
Singapore COMPASS
South Africa SAMRO
Spain SGAE
Sweden STIM
Switzerland SUISA
Trinidad & Tobago COTT
Turkey MESAM
Uruguay AGADU