A Performing Rights Organization (PRO)—generally referred to as a Collection Management Organization (CMO)— collects and distributes royalties to songwriters and publishers when their music is publicly performed. Songwriters and publishers must join or affiliate with a PRO and register their songs in order to receive royalties for their music.
PRO's maintain a database of songs for their affiliated songwriter and publisher members. They ensure proper licensing of these songs across all public performance uses which include streaming (Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify), Advertising, TV/Film, restaurants, gyms, live venues and more.
If an artist's music is distributed and released into the world and on streaming platforms, it's necessary to join a PRO. We recommend joining the PRO in the territory where you reside, or BMI in the US. Follow this link to learn about joining BMI as a songwriter and/or publisher.
Here's some PRO's around the world:
🇺🇸 USA — ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR
🇨🇦 Canada — SOCAN
🇬🇧 UK — PRS for Music
🇩🇪 Germany — GEMA
🇫🇷 France — SACEM
🇸🇪 Sweden — STIM
🇧🇷 Brazil — ECAD
🇦🇷 Argentina — SADAIC
🇦🇺 Australia — APRA AMCOS
🇯🇵 Japan — JASRAC
🇰🇷 South Korea — KOMCA
🇿🇦 South Africa — SAMRO