Registering with a Performing Rights Organization

1. Should I join a performance rights organization?
2. What does performing rights organization do?
3. How do performing rights organizations pay royalties?

Should I join a performance rights organization?

Many people say to join when your songs are being performed publicly because the main function of a PRO is to make sure you get paid the performance royalties your songs earn. This can be a good rule of thumb, however there may be other considerations. PROs can do more than solely collect royalties on your behalf.

What does performing rights organization do?

A performance rights organisation (PRO), also known as a performing rights society, provides intermediary functions, particularly collection of royalties, between copyright holders and parties who wish to use copyrighted works publicly in locations such as shopping and dining venues.

How do performing rights organizations pay royalties?

Those performance royalties are paid by radio stations, venues, and TV networks to Performing Rights Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and SOCAN (in Canada). The PRO then distributes the money to their affiliated songwriters and publishers.