If you are a musician, composer, or songwriter, you might have heard of the term P.R.O. in music. But what does it mean and how does it affect you? In this blog post, we will explain what a P.R.O. is, what it does, and why you might need one.

What is a P.R.O. in Music?

A P.R.O. stands for Performing Rights Organization. It is an agency that collects and distributes royalties on behalf of its members when their musical works are used in various ways. This includes being performed in public, broadcast, streamed, downloaded, reproduced, or used in film and television¹.

A P.R.O. exists to protect its members and make sure they receive everything that is due to them. Protecting members is not only about making sure they get paid, but also about fighting music piracy and ensuring fair compensation for their creative work.

How Does a P.R.O. Work?

A P.R.O. works by providing licensing agreements that allow the use of P.R.O. music for a fee. There are different types of licenses that cover different uses of music and different fees depending on how the music is used and how many people it reaches².

For example, if you want to use P.R.O. music in your YouTube video, you need to obtain a license from the P.R.O. that represents the composer or songwriter of the music. The license fee will depend on factors such as the number of views, the duration of the music, and the type of video.

Similarly, if you want to play P.R.O. music in your restaurant, you need to obtain a license from the P.R.O. that covers your country. The license fee will depend on factors such as the size of the venue, the number of speakers, and the frequency of the music.

A P.R.O. collects these license fees from the users of music and distributes them to its members according to their share of the music usage. A P.R.O. also tracks the usage of music by using various methods such as codes, databases, and surveys².

Why Do You Need a P.R.O.?

If you are a musician, composer, or songwriter, you might need a P.R.O. for several reasons:

• To get paid for your music. A P.R.O. can help you collect royalties for your music when it is used in various ways. This can provide you with a steady income stream and reward you for your creative work.
• To protect your music. A P.R.O. can help you protect your music from unauthorized use and piracy. A P.R.O. can also help you enforce your rights and resolve disputes with users of music.
• To network with other musicians. A P.R.O. can help you connect with other musicians, composers, and songwriters who are members of the same organization. A P.R.O. can also provide you with opportunities to showcase your music and collaborate with others.

How to Join a P.R.O.?

If you want to join a P.R.O., you need to follow these steps:

• Choose a P.R.O. that suits your needs. There are many P.R.O.s around the world, and each one has its own rules, fees, and benefits. You can find a list of some of the major P.R.O.s at the end of this article³.
• Register as a member. You need to fill out an application form and provide some information about yourself and your music. You might also need to pay a membership fee or a registration fee depending on the P.R.O.
• Register your music. You need to submit your music to the P.R.O. and provide some details such as the title, the duration, the genre, and the co-writers if any. You might also need to provide codes such as ISRCs and ISWCs that identify your music².
• Receive your royalties. You need to wait for the P.R.O. to process your music and calculate your royalties. You will receive your royalties periodically according to the P.R.O.’s schedule and payment method.

Conclusion

A P.R.O. in music is an agency that collects and distributes royalties for its members when their music is used in various ways. A P.R.O. can help you get paid, protect your music, and network with other musicians. If you want to join a P.R.O., you need to choose one that suits your needs, register as a member, register your music, and receive your royalties.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand what a P.R.O. in music is and why you might need one. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and happy music making!