-Photoroom%201.png)
A PRO, or Performing Rights Organization, collects performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers whenever a song is performed publicly — on radio, on TV, in venues, in shops, and as part of every stream. You join one PRO as a songwriter, register your songs, and the PRO pays you when those songs are performed anywhere in the world. It is the single most important step in collecting your publishing royalties.
What a PRO actually does
PROs license the right to publicly perform music to businesses — broadcasters, streaming services, venues, restaurants — and collect a fee. They track where and how often songs are performed, then distribute the money to the songwriters and publishers who own those songs, minus an administration fee. You cannot realistically license every radio station and café yourself, so the PRO does it collectively for everyone.
The major PROs by country
| Country / region | PRO(s) |
|---|---|
| United States | ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR |
| United Kingdom | PRS for Music |
| India | IPRS |
| France | SACEM |
| Germany | GEMA |
| Canada | SOCAN |
| Australia / New Zealand | APRA AMCOS |
| Japan | JASRAC |
| South Africa | SAMRO |
These societies have reciprocal agreements, so your home PRO collects worldwide on your behalf. You generally join the PRO in your own country.
The writer share and the publisher share
Performance royalties are split into two halves: the writer's share and the publisher's share. The writer's share is always paid to you, the songwriter. The publisher's share is paid to your publisher — and if you have no publisher, that half can go uncollected unless you register as your own publisher or use a publishing administrator. This is the most common way independent artists lose money.
The one-society rule
You can generally only be a member of one performing rights society at a time for your writer's share. PROs require this so the same performance is not claimed twice. Choose the PRO in your country of residence, and stick with it.
US note: BMI is now for-profit
BMI was acquired by an investor group led by New Mountain Capital in early 2024 and now operates as a for-profit company, distributing roughly 85% of its licensing revenue to affiliates. ASCAP remains a not-for-profit. Both are open to new members; SESAC and GMR are invitation-only.
What to do next
Pick your country's PRO and register. Our step-by-step PRO registration guide walks through the process, and mechanical royalties explained covers the other half of your publishing income.