A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) is an entity that helps songwriters, composers, and music publishers get paid when their music is performed publicly. Whether your song is played on the radio, streamed on Spotify, used in a restaurant, or performed live at a venue, a PRO ensures you're compensated for that use.
If you’re writing or composing music—whether for your own project or for others—joining a PRO is one of the most important steps you can take to start collecting income from your work.
What Does a PRO Do?
A PRO monitors and collects performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers. These royalties are generated when your music is:
- Broadcast on radio or TV
- Streamed on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
- Performed live at venues, festivals, clubs, or public events
- Played in restaurants, gyms, hotels, stores, and other public spaces
Rather than chasing each individual business or platform for payment, PROs issue blanket licenses to these entities. Those licenses give them the legal right to play any music in the PRO’s catalog—and the revenue from those licenses is distributed as royalties to registered songwriters and publishers.
Key PROs Around the World
Each country usually has one or more designated PROs. Here are a few examples:
-
United States:
- ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
- BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
- SESAC (by invitation only)
- GMR (Global Music Rights)
-
United Kingdom:
- PRS for Music
-
Canada:
- SOCAN
-
Germany:
- GEMA
-
Mexico:
- SACM
Each of these organizations functions similarly but may differ in terms of registration, payouts, and international reach.
Who Should Join a PRO?
If you’re a:
- Songwriter or composer – You need to join as a writer member to collect your share of performance royalties.
- Publisher or self-published artist – You should also create a publisher account to collect the publishing share of performance royalties.
Most PROs split performance royalties 50/50:
- 50% to the songwriter
- 50% to the publisher
If you haven’t registered as a publisher, that 50% may go unclaimed.
How Do PROs Track Music Use?
PROs use a combination of technology and reporting to track performances:
- Radio and television monitoring
- Digital fingerprinting on streaming services
- Cue sheets from film and TV productions
- Setlist submissions from touring artists
- Reports from venues, festivals, and businesses
As a writer, it’s important to submit your works to your PRO and report your own live performances (often called “setlists” or “live performance claims”) to get paid for your gigs.
PROs vs. Other Royalty Organizations
While PROs focus on performance royalties, they do not collect:
- Mechanical royalties – These are collected by organizations like The MLC (in the U.S.) or MCPS (in the UK).
- Master royalties – These are paid to the owner of the sound recording via distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, etc.
So even if you're registered with a PRO, you may still be missing out on other types of royalties unless your catalog is fully registered with the appropriate agencies.
Why Joining a PRO Is Essential
Joining a PRO is often the first step toward turning your music into a reliable source of income. It ensures that every time your song is played in public—no matter the format—you get paid. PROs also provide:
- Quarterly or semi-annual royalty payouts
- Access to performance data and analytics
- Opportunities for grants, showcases, or sync placements (varies by PRO)
- Support with rights disputes or claims
How to Join
Joining a PRO is straightforward. Most allow you to register online. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your legal name and contact info
- Tax information (e.g., SSN or EIN for U.S. residents)
- Bank account for direct deposit
- Optional: Create a publishing entity if you want to collect the publisher share
Once you’ve joined, you can begin registering your works and submitting performance reports.
Final Thought
If you’ve written even one original song that’s been played or performed publicly, you could be owed royalties. Don’t leave money on the table—register with a PRO and make sure your work is tracked, protected, and paid.