Managing music rights is complex, but every region tackles it differently. Here’s a quick look at how the U.S., China, Australia, and the EU handle collective rights management:
- United States (ASCAP & BMI): Focuses on licensing and royalty collection for public performances. Strong in domestic operations but less adaptable globally.
- China (MCSC): Centralized licensing with growing use of digital tools. Faces challenges with regulations and market diversity.
- Australia (APRA AMCOS): Simplifies licensing by merging performance and mechanical rights. Uses digital tools like OneMusic for easier management.
- European Union (GEMA, SACEM, SGAE): Multi-territorial licensing and standardized reporting. Balances cross-border collaboration with local laws.
Quick Comparison
| Region | Key Organization(s) | Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ASCAP, BMI | Automated licensing, digital tools | Limited global coordination |
| China | MCSC | Centralized approach, tech integration | Complex regulations |
| Australia | APRA AMCOS | Simplified licensing, digital tools | Smaller market scale |
| European Union | GEMA, SACEM, SGAE | Cross-border licensing, transparency | Managing diverse systems |
Each system evolves with technology like blockchain, aiming for better transparency, efficiency, and global collaboration.
Episode 7: Collective Management Organisations (CMO)
1. US Music Rights: ASCAP and BMI
In the United States, two key performing rights organizations (PROs) – ASCAP and BMI – handle public performance rights and royalty collection. They issue licenses for musical performances and collect royalties from places like radio stations, restaurants, and other venues.
Although the traditional system ensured musicians were paid for public performances, today’s artists face new challenges with their rights across various platforms. These organizations remain crucial in protecting creators and securing their earnings.
This U.S. framework serves as a reference point when looking at systems in other regions.
2. Chinese Music Copyright: MCSC
MCSC plays a central role in navigating China’s growing digital landscape and entertainment industry. The organization has expanded its efforts in digital licensing while maintaining its focus on supporting music creators.
Its primary responsibilities include licensing music for broadcasters, streaming services, and public venues, as well as collecting royalties from various uses of music. MCSC also collaborates with international CMOs through reciprocal agreements and uses advanced technology to improve the transparency and efficiency of royalty distribution.
How well does MCSC ensure fair payment in China’s rapidly expanding music market? To tackle this, MCSC continues to refine its management approach, addressing challenges like complex regulations, diverse regional market demands, and the need for updated technology. This evolving strategy provides a basis for comparing MCSC with other systems in the region.
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3. Australian Rights Management: APRA
Australia has developed a unified system for managing music rights, combining older practices with modern digital solutions. APRA, now operating as APRA AMCOS after merging with AMCOS, has updated its processes to address the changing needs of the music industry while maintaining strong relationships with its members and licensees.
The merger brought together performance and mechanical rights, simplifying licensing processes and cutting down on administrative work. To tackle the demands of the digital age, APRA AMCOS introduced OneMusic, a platform designed to make licensing easier and more centralized for commercial users.
Some key operational features include:
- Transparent and regular reporting of distributions
- Digital tools to track online music usage
- Direct licensing agreements with major digital platforms
APRA AMCOS’s focus on digital licensing and operational efficiency provides a useful model for improving collective rights management systems globally.
Its management approach stands out in three main areas:
- Adapting to the digital market: Using technology to monitor and monetize online music use.
- Simplified licensing: Making the process easier for both businesses and rights holders.
- Regional collaboration: Working with partners across the Asia-Pacific to improve copyright standards.
This approach demonstrates how rights management can evolve to meet digital challenges while still supporting traditional revenue streams.
4. EU Copyright Management Systems
The European Union has developed a system to align copyright practices across its member states while respecting individual national laws. This framework relies on networks of Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) to tackle issues like digital rights and licensing across borders.
Organizations like Germany’s GEMA, France’s SACEM, and Spain’s SGAE use their local expertise to ensure accurate royalty payments and foster cross-border collaboration.
The EU manages rights through three main methods:
- Multi-territorial licensing: CMOs can issue licenses that cover digital music services across Europe.
- Standardized reporting: Uniform reporting formats are used across all member states.
- Reciprocal agreements: National CMOs cooperate to ensure rights are recognized consistently.
Many CMOs in the EU have also adopted digital tools to improve copyright management. For example, digital verification systems like ScoreDetect‘s blockchain-based certificates add an extra layer of security and support for content creators.
The EU continues to refine its system, focusing on transparency and efficiency. This helps creators protect and profit from their work in the European digital single market, offering a clear framework to evaluate different management models.
Model Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses
Let’s take a closer look at how different global collective management models perform, highlighting both their strengths and challenges.
The U.S. system, exemplified by ASCAP and BMI, excels in automated licensing and digital monitoring tools. However, its focus on domestic operations can make international coordination more difficult. It’s a system built for efficiency within the U.S., but it doesn’t adapt as easily to global needs.
China’s Music Copyright Society (MCSC) takes a centralized approach to licensing while gradually integrating digital tools. This method fits well with China’s specific market conditions and regulatory framework, emphasizing the importance of technology in managing rights effectively.
Australia’s APRA offers streamlined processes and uses digital fingerprinting technologies to manage regional rights efficiently. While highly effective in its region, it operates on a smaller scale compared to larger global markets.
The European model is distinct because of its multi-territorial licensing system, which supports cross-border operations. With standardized reporting and advanced verification tools, it prioritizes transparency and security while enabling international cooperation. That said, managing the diverse national systems within Europe remains a constant hurdle.
These comparisons highlight valuable takeaways, especially from Europe’s focus on standardization and international collaboration, which play a crucial role in shaping effective collective management strategies.
Conclusion
Collective rights management models differ around the world, but all are evolving alongside new technologies. Blockchain is transforming how organizations protect creators’ rights, paving the way for a closer connection between technology and legal systems.
For example, in February 2025, ScoreDetect introduced its SEO Certificates Source URLs, a tool designed to improve content protection and verification [1]. Blockchain is particularly helpful for managing complex cross-border rights, such as those in the EU.
Organizations like APRA AMCOS have embraced streamlined processes, while the EU has adopted standardized reporting. These digital tools are shaping the future of rights management. As SaaS CEO Kyrylo Silin explains:
"With ScoreDetect, I can take pictures for my travel blog and be confident that nobody will claim them as theirs. I can always prove that I am the author" [1]
To build on these advancements, future rights management models should:
- Use blockchain for greater transparency
- Simplify cross-border operations
- Strengthen monitoring within local legal frameworks
- Offer immediate content protection
While regional approaches vary, blockchain and digital verification systems are becoming essential for effective rights management. Their integration with existing systems continues to improve content protection across the globe.
