Publishing Rights Organization (PRO)

A Publishing Rights Organization (PRO) is a company that helps songwriters, composers, and music publishers protect and manage the rights to their music. When someone uses a song publicly—like on radio, TV, concerts, or streaming platforms—the PRO collects licensing fees on behalf of the creators and distributes these royalties accordingly. Essentially, PROs ensure that artists are fairly compensated whenever their music is performed or played publicly. Major PROs include ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. This system simplifies licensing and ensures that creators maintain control over their intellectual property while earning income from their work.