International royalties
Reciprocal agreements for international royalties
We collect your royalties worldwide through reciprocal agreements with performing and mechanical right societies, just like APRA AMCOS. We have agreements with 70+ countries.
However, when your music is used overseas, it is subject to the laws, distribution rules and policies of each society. Societies are members of the international organisation CISAC and BIEM for mechanical societies, which have agreed standards for distributing royalties.
Flow of song royalties through collecting societies
When do I get paid international royalties?
APRA AMCOS pays royalties that we collect from international use once a month (we’re one of the few societies to pay international royalties on a monthly cycle).
What's an international royalty vs domestic royalty?
Domestic royalties are earned in territories administered by APRA AMCOS. International royalties are earned in territories administered by our International Affiliates.
Find out which territories we manage rights for and who our International Affiliates are.
International royalties can be delayed
Sometimes there can be a significant delay between the performance of your music overseas and the distribution of these royalties to APRA AMCOS. For most types of music use, the payment of royalties can take at least a year from when the performance happened. We’ll always pay you as soon as we can.
International royalties for our members are accounted to us regularly by our International Affiliates. The major societies are required to pay royalties to us at least every quarter, depending on the source of those royalties and the agreements they have with licensees in their territory. They are required to pay us within a month of paying their own members.
Due to COVID-19, some societies are changing their distribution timetables and practices to reflect changes in royalty collections and requirements of their membership.
Some societies have delayed royalty distributions due to withholding tax issues.
To ensure we distribute international royalties accurately and timely, we prioritise distributing payments from our key International Affiliates. This means that some royalties from smaller territories may take longer to be processed and paid.
If you have any questions about the timing of international royalty payments, please contact Writer Services.
Payments of international royalties also depend on whether we are affiliated with a collecting society there—so payments aren’t always guaranteed.
What you need to tell us
We monitor overseas sources such as TV and radio broadcasts and chart information.
However, if you know your music has been used overseas, let us know ASAP by completing the relevant form. We'll contact the international society to seek royalties for you.
Tell us about overseas tours, the use of your music in film, TV, jingles, and other broadcasts or record releases. This will ensure we can make claims on your behalf and check any incoming royalties.
Earning international royalties in the USA
Most countries only have one performing rights organisation (PRO), like APRA in Australia.
In the USA however, there are multiple PROs, and APRA AMCOS has reciprocal agreements with three: ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. If you start to earn royalties in the USA through the live performance or broadcast of your works, one of these PROs will act on behalf of APRA AMCOS to manage your rights. You can choose which one.
Learn more about picking a USA performing rights organisation.
Manufacturing overseas?
Contact AMCOS before getting started.
If you're an AMCOS member and you're planning to have physical formats (CDs, DVDs, vinyl, cassette etc.) of an upcoming release manufactured in a country other than Australia or New Zealand, you may be required to pay mechanical royalties before finished goods can be released.
Contact AMCOS as early as possible in the production planning process to discuss your options.