The role of Performance Rights' Organizations

Martial

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PROs (performance rights organizations) are composers’ best friend.
Their role is to collect the rights of composers and songwriters when their material is being used by others.
When restaurants, malls, public places of all kinds, and of course radio and television, are playing music, rights are being collected by the PROs on behalf of the composer for the music, the author for the lyrics and publisher for the company making the music available.
The coverage goes from mechanical rights which are the rights connected to the sale of recorded items such as CDs, to live performances. (Some PROs do not cover necessarily all the rights)
The first PROs were created in Europe in the mid-19th century, they were covering performances and the sale of printed music. The emergence of the recording industry has enlarged the responsibilities of PROs, which are often playing a legal role in the defense of the artist holding the rights.
Most countries have their PRO, some have more than one. Each have their own rules and regulations with the common purpose of collecting rights (money) on behalf or the artist owner and publisher of the material played registered with them.
PROs are basically selling licenses to use music.
In the case of stores, bars and restaurants, the U.S. used to accept the playing of music if it was legally purchased. Now, all bars and restaurants of a surface superior of 3700 square feet must purchase a license to play music.
It is important for all musicians and their music to be registered with a PRO.
PROs have international agreements. If your music is played in a foreign country, the PRO of this country will transfer the rights to the PRO where the music is registered. It takes longer for music owner and publisher to collect the rights, but your music is protected internationally.
Music Partner being a publisher is registered with PROs and collect publishing rights. It is the only music publishing and licensing company to share its publishing revenues with filmmakers and producers.
 
PROs sure are a composer's best friend, especially because without them, anyone could use their work without giving or paying them for their efforts and work. :)
 
You make a very good point this time as well. And again, you explain it very well. :) What made you choose this topic this time?
 
You make a very good point this time as well. And again, you explain it very well. :) What made you choose this topic this time?
As a music publisher and licensing agent, PROs are our main source of revenue. It is important for filmmakers to know how music licensing works. They do not have to spend a fortune to acquire quality music produced by professionals. At Music Partner, we open our library to free download for broadcast projects or very affordable licenses for all other projects.
 
As a music publisher and licensing agent, PROs are our main source of revenue. It is important for filmmakers to know how music licensing works. They do not have to spend a fortune to acquire quality music produced by professionals. At Music Partner, we open our library to free download for broadcast projects or very affordable licenses for all other projects.
yes, you are totally right. I had the same misconception as well!
 
Just need to add that users must get a licence to use music in any kind of project. This usually involves a fee.

It's amazing that film makers are (usually) clueless about music clearance and licensing, let alone dealing with someone writing custom music. Why on Earth don't film schools cover this?
 
Honestly I have never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing!
 

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