Choose who we work with on your behalf
APRA AMCOS has partnerships with more than 90 performing rights organisations (PROs) around the world. Through these organisations, we collect performance royalties on your behalf, and pay you when your works are performed or broadcast overseas.
Like most countries around the world, Australia only has one PRO - APRA. In the USA however, there are multiple PROs, and APRA AMCOS has reciprocal agreements with three: ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.
Why is this important?
Once you start to earn royalties in the USA, you’ll need to select one of these PROs to act on behalf of APRA AMCOS to manage your rights there.
It’s important to know that nothing will change with your APRA AMCOS membership. All of your royalties, including overseas income, will continue to be paid to you by APRA AMCOS. Our agreements with international affiliates simply mean we can offer you options for USA royalty collection.
How do I choose?
It’s 100% your choice, so do some research on each PRO: ASCAP, BMI SESAC.
As soon as you start earning royalties in the USA, you have one month to notify us of your chosen PRO otherwise your works will automatically be designated through ASCAP.
If you are in the USA and would like to meet with a PRO to help you make a decision, please get in touch with one of our international reps who can set up a meeting.
When you have made a decision, notify our Writer Services team. Note that changing PROs later can be a lengthy and complicated process.
What if I have a publishing deal?
Firstly, it’s important to notify APRA AMCOS when you sign any kind of publishing deal. This ensures we can correctly manage your rights.
If you have a publishing deal in the USA (which includes sub-publishing agreements), it’s likely that your USA publisher will have a preferred PRO. This means your publisher will register your works through one PRO and your works will be paid from that PRO.
If you would prefer to designate your works through a different PRO, please contact our Writer Services team to discuss your options.
If your publishing deal does not include the USA, you can choose a USA PRO as above, and advise APRA AMCOS of your choice.
Get in touch with our Writer Services team if you have any questions about designating your rights in the USA.