Collection Society
An organization that collects and distributes royalties to rights holders when their music is performed or reproduced.
Definition
Collection societies (also called Collective Management Organizations or CMOs) administer music rights collectively. They license users, collect fees, and distribute royalties to member songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Different societies handle different rights. PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) handle performance. Mechanical societies (Harry Fox Agency, MCPS) handle reproduction. Each territory has its own organizations with reciprocal international agreements.
Why It Matters
Collection societies make music licensing practical. Without collective licensing, every radio station, venue, and streaming service would need individual deals with millions of rights holders—an impossible task.
Proper society registration ensures payment. Unregistered writers forfeit royalties that societies collect but cannot distribute. Every creator should register with appropriate societies in their territory.
Examples in Practice
ASCAP and BMI together represent over 90% of US music, collecting billions annually from radio, TV, venues, and digital services for distribution to their songwriter and publisher members.
A songwriter discovers they've been unregistered for years. Joining their PRO and mechanical society retroactively recovers $12,000 in unclaimed royalties.