Industry Terms
What Is a PRO?
A PRO (Performing Rights Organization) collects and distributes performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and music publishers when music is publicly performed.
A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) is a company that collects performance royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. When your music is publicly performed — whether on radio, streaming platforms, live venues, TV, film, or any public space — a royalty is generated. PROs track those performances and pay out the money owed to the rights holders.
There are two separate royalties attached to every song: the master recording royalty (paid to whoever owns the recording) and the composition/publishing royalty (paid to the songwriter and publisher). PROs specifically handle the publishing/composition side — the underlying song, not the recording.
In the United States, the two major PROs are ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.). You can only be a member of one US PRO at a time as a songwriter.
If you are both the songwriter and the recording artist, you need PRO registration separately from your distribution deal. Distribution covers the master recording side. PRO registration covers the publishing/composition side.