Understanding Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
If you write or compose music, registering with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) and
understanding music publishing is essential for protecting your rights and ensuring you collect the royalties your work generates worldwide.
What Are PROs?
PROs collect and pay out performance royalties when your music is played in public. This includes radio, TV, streaming platforms, live shows, social media, film and TV, and places like stores, restaurants, and gyms.
They license your music, track where it’s played, and pay royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers whenever money is earned from those plays.
Find the PRO for your region
In the United States, the main PROs are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. ASCAP and BMI are open to most songwriters and publishers. SESAC is invite-only. All of them collect performance royalties from digital, broadcast, and live use. Most countries have their own PRO that handles royalties in their area.
See below for the full list of major PROs across the continents
These organizations work together worldwide. This means your local PRO can collect royalties for you when your music is played in other countries. This global system helps songwriters and publishers get paid no matter where their music is played.
Fully independent artists can register as both a songwriter and a publisher with a PRO, allowing them to collect 100% of their performance royalties without leaving any share unclaimed.
Learn more
Registering with a PRO early helps ensure you are properly tracking and collecting performance royalties globally.
See this article for step-by-step guidance on how to sign-up: Understanding PROs