Licentia Franchise SA

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Your Freedom to Business Licenses

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Licentia - Logo (White Long) 2

Your Freedom to Business Licenses

CONTACT US
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1. - What is SAMRO and what does it do?

VIEW ANSWER

SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organisation) administers Performing Rights on behalf of music creators, including composers, authors, and publishers. It licenses businesses and individuals that publicly perform or broadcast music, collects license fees, and distributes these as royalties to rights holders.

2. - Who needs a SAMRO license?

VIEW ANSWER

Any business or entity that publicly plays music, such as restaurants, radio stations, nightclubs, live music venues, gyms, or any space where music is played for the public, must obtain a SAMRO license. This ensures that the music creators are compensated for the use of their works.

3. - How do I apply for a SAMRO license?

VIEW ANSWER

To apply for a SAMRO license, businesses must fill out an application form through SAMRO’s website. The form requires information such as the nature of the business, the size of the premises, and the type of music usage (e.g., live performances, background music, etc.) to determine the appropriate license fees.

4. - What are Performing Rights?

VIEW ANSWER

Performing Rights are the legal rights that allow a composer, lyricist, or music publisher to control the public performance of their musical works. These rights ensure that they are paid royalties whenever their music is played in public settings or broadcast on television, radio, or digital platforms.

5. - How are SAMRO royalties calculated and distributed?

VIEW ANSWER

Royalties are calculated based on usage reports submitted by businesses and broadcasters. These reports detail how often and where the music was played. SAMRO collects this data and distributes the royalties proportionally to the composers, lyricists, and publishers based on the usage and popularity of their music.

6. - What happens if I don’t have a SAMRO license?

VIEW ANSWER

Failure to obtain a SAMRO license while publicly playing or broadcasting music is considered a copyright infringement. SAMRO may take legal action against the offending business or individual, which could lead to fines, legal fees, or other penalties, including payment of retroactive license fees.

7. - Who is eligible to register with SAMRO?

VIEW ANSWER

Composers, lyricists, and music publishers are eligible to register with SAMRO if they own the rights to a musical composition. Both South African and international rights holders can register, as long as their music is performed publicly in South Africa.

8. - How often does SAMRO distribute royalties?

VIEW ANSWER

SAMRO typically distributes royalties to its members annually. However, distributions can also occur quarterly, depending on the agreements and the frequency of music usage reports submitted by licensees.

9. - What is the difference between SAMRO and SAMPRA?

VIEW ANSWER

SAMRO administers Performing Rights royalties, which are paid to composers, lyricists, and music publishers. SAMPRA, on the other hand, handles Needletime royalties, which are paid to recording artists and record labels when their recorded music is played in public settings.

10. - Can performers earn royalties from SAMRO?

VIEW ANSWER

Only composers, lyricists, and publishers earn royalties from SAMRO. Performers who did not contribute to the songwriting process do not receive royalties from SAMRO. However, performers can earn Needletime royalties through SAMPRA, which pays for the use of sound recordings.

1. - What is SAMRO and what does it do?

VIEW ANSWER

SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organisation) administers Performing Rights on behalf of music creators, including composers, authors, and publishers. It licenses businesses and individuals that publicly perform or broadcast music, collects license fees, and distributes these as royalties to rights holders.

2. - Who needs a SAMRO license?

VIEW ANSWER

Any business or entity that publicly plays music, such as restaurants, radio stations, nightclubs, live music venues, gyms, or any space where music is played for the public, must obtain a SAMRO license. This ensures that the music creators are compensated for the use of their works.

3. - How do I apply for a SAMRO license?

VIEW ANSWER

To apply for a SAMRO license, businesses must fill out an application form through SAMRO’s website. The form requires information such as the nature of the business, the size of the premises, and the type of music usage (e.g., live performances, background music, etc.) to determine the appropriate license fees.

4. - What are Performing Rights?

VIEW ANSWER

Performing Rights are the legal rights that allow a composer, lyricist, or music publisher to control the public performance of their musical works. These rights ensure that they are paid royalties whenever their music is played in public settings or broadcast on television, radio, or digital platforms.

5. - How are SAMRO royalties calculated and distributed?

VIEW ANSWER

Royalties are calculated based on usage reports submitted by businesses and broadcasters. These reports detail how often and where the music was played. SAMRO collects this data and distributes the royalties proportionally to the composers, lyricists, and publishers based on the usage and popularity of their music.

6. - What happens if I don’t have a SAMRO license?

VIEW ANSWER

Failure to obtain a SAMRO license while publicly playing or broadcasting music is considered a copyright infringement. SAMRO may take legal action against the offending business or individual, which could lead to fines, legal fees, or other penalties, including payment of retroactive license fees.

7. - Who is eligible to register with SAMRO?

VIEW ANSWER

Composers, lyricists, and music publishers are eligible to register with SAMRO if they own the rights to a musical composition. Both South African and international rights holders can register, as long as their music is performed publicly in South Africa.

8. - How often does SAMRO distribute royalties?

VIEW ANSWER

SAMRO typically distributes royalties to its members annually. However, distributions can also occur quarterly, depending on the agreements and the frequency of music usage reports submitted by licensees.

9. - What is the difference between SAMRO and SAMPRA?

VIEW ANSWER

SAMRO administers Performing Rights royalties, which are paid to composers, lyricists, and music publishers. SAMPRA, on the other hand, handles Needletime royalties, which are paid to recording artists and record labels when their recorded music is played in public settings.

10. - Can performers earn royalties from SAMRO?

VIEW ANSWER

Only composers, lyricists, and publishers earn royalties from SAMRO. Performers who did not contribute to the songwriting process do not receive royalties from SAMRO. However, performers can earn Needletime royalties through SAMPRA, which pays for the use of sound recordings.