What is a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)?
A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) represents the copyrighted musical works of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. A PRO provides businesses using music the ability to obtain a license granting blanket authorization to use the music it represents in exchange for license fees. The PRO then distributes those fees as royalties to its affiliated songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The business benefits from a consolidated or clearinghouse approach to fulfilling their obligation under US Copyright Law to obtain prior authorization from every copyright owner of every song that may be publicly performed at their business. The copyright owner (songwriter, composer, or music publisher), benefits by having the PRO ensure that businesses are in compliance and have the proper authorization to publicly perform the songs they have created. A Performing Rights Organization represents a group of members or affiliates; songwriters, composers and music publishers. Each organization represents different affiliates and catalogs of music – covering almost all of the millions of songs currently copyright protected.
PRO Organizations to consider joining…….
Seasac
BMI
Ascap