Copyright collecting societies collect copyright fees from licensing arrangements that allow uses of large numbers of creative works, and distribute the fees to people who own rights in creative works (such as songwriters, text writers, filmmakers, artists and publishers). They are also called copyright management organisations (CMOs).
The large societies develop and negotiate these licensing arrangements with people and organisations who use large numbers of creative works, such as venues that have music playing or universities that copy and share resources for students.
Australian copyright collecting societies are member-based organisations.
The Code of Conduct was developed and adopted by Australian copyright collecting societies in 2002.
The Copyright Tribunal can review licensing arrangements managed by collecting societies. It can also review distribution arrangements for some licensing arrangements.
Collecting Societies bound by the Code of Conduct
APRA AMCOS
APRA AMCOS is a music rights organisation representing over 100,000 members who are songwriters, composers and music publishers. APRA AMCOS licenses the use of songs and compositions for public performance, broadcast, online communication and reproduction under the trading name of OneMusic Australia. Licence fees are distributed back to their songwriter, composer and music publisher members.
Links to more information about APRA AMCOS’ operations
ASDACS
The Australian Screen Directors Authorship Collecting Society Ltd (ASDACS) represents film, television and audiovisual directors, in the collection and distribution of royalties that arise from the screening of their works due to their rights and entitlements - here and around the world.
Links to more information about ASDACS’ operations
AWGACS
Established by the Australian Writers’ Guild in 1996, the Authorship Collecting Society (AWGACS) is a not-for-profit collecting society for screenwriters. AWGACS collects and distributes international and domestic royalties for Australian and New Zealand writers.
Links to more information about AWGACS’ operations
Copyright Agency
Copyright Agency is a not-for-profit organisation that collects and distributes copyright fees for copying and sharing of text and images to writers, artists and publishers. Copyright Agency is appointed by the Australian government to manage licence schemes that allow copying and sharing of text and images in the education and government sectors, and the artists’ resale royalty scheme. It also manages licensing solutions for commercial copying and sharing of text and images, such as by media monitoring companies and other businesses.
Links to more information about Copyright Agency’s operations
PPCA
PPCA is a non-profit organisation that provides licences to Australian businesses to play recorded music in public. The net fees are distributed to record labels & registered Australian artists who create the recordings so they can continue to make music for all to enjoy.
Links to more information about PPCA’s operations
Screenrights
Screenrights is a not-for-profit membership organisation that provides rights and royalty management services to the screen industry. Screenrights facilitates access to screen content through simple licensing solutions for teachers in education, administrators in government, and home viewers with subscription TV – and provide royalty payments to members for the programs audiences love.
Links to more information about Screenrights’ operations