What a PRO Does
A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) collects performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers. A performance royalty is generated every time a composition is:
- Streamed on a platform like Spotify or Apple Music
- Played on radio or TV
- Performed live at a venue or festival
- Played in public spaces such as bars, shops, and gyms
The PRO licenses these uses, collects the money, and pays it to the writers and publishers it represents.
Performance Royalties Are Separate From Your Streaming Payout
This is important: the performance royalty for the composition is different from the streaming royalty for the recording that InterSpace pays you. If you wrote your songs and never registered with a PRO, you are missing this income.
Examples of PROs Around the World
- ASCAP, BMI, SESAC in the United States
- PRS for Music in the United Kingdom
- SACEM in France
- GEMA in Germany
- COSON / MCSN in Nigeria
- SAMRO in South Africa
How to Register
- Choose the PRO in your country. You usually join only one for performance rights.
- Register as a writer, and as a publisher if you want to also collect the publisher's share.
- Register each of your songs (works) so the PRO can track and pay them.
Registering with a PRO does not affect your InterSpace distribution. The two work side by side.