Licentia Franchise SA

SAMRO
Southern African Music
Rights Organisation

SAMRO’s primary role is to administer Performing Rights on behalf of its members, who are composers, authors, and publishers of musical works. SAMRO licenses music users—such as television and radio broadcasters, live music venues, retailers, restaurants, promoters, and shopping centers—by collecting license fees, which are then distributed as royalties to music creators.

SAMRO
Southern African Music Rights Organisation

SAMRO’s primary role is to administer Performing Rights on behalf of its members, who are composers, authors, and publishers of musical works. SAMRO licenses music users—such as television and radio broadcasters, live music venues, retailers, restaurants, promoters, and shopping centers—by collecting license fees, which are then distributed as royalties to music creators.

SAMPRA handles Needletime royalties, which are paid to recording artists and record labels. In contrast, SAMRO administers Performance royalties, ensuring that composers, lyricists, and music publishers are compensated when their music is performed publicly.
Copyright Act of 1978 (Act No. 98 of 1978)
This act governs the control, use, and distribution of artistic and creative works in South Africa. It protects various forms of creative works, including literary, musical, and artistic works, sound recordings, and broadcasts. The copyright protection generally lasts for 50 years after the creation of the work.
Performers’ Protection Act (11 of 1967, as amended)
This act outlines performers’ rights and ensures that they are compensated when their performances are publicly utilized.
✔ The right to perform a work in public.
✔ The right to broadcast a work.
✔ The right to transmit a work via a diffusion service (such as online streaming).

Whenever a song is broadcast or publicly performed, the copyright owners (composers, lyricists, publishers) are legally entitled to royalty income. SAMRO manages these rights on behalf of its members. This includes licensing businesses and broadcasters who play music in public places, ensuring they submit music usage reports for royalty calculations.

Only composers and lyricists earn performance royalties through SAMRO. Performers (like singers or instrumentalists) who haven’t written or published the song earn from performance fees and other revenues (like CD sales), but not from SAMRO royalties unless they also contributed to the song’s composition.

SAMPRA handles Needletime royalties, which are paid to recording artists and record labels. In contrast, SAMRO administers Performance royalties, ensuring that composers, lyricists, and music publishers are compensated when their music is performed publicly.
Copyright Act of 1978 (Act No. 98 of 1978)
This act governs the control, use, and distribution of artistic and creative works in South Africa. It protects various forms of creative works, including literary, musical, and artistic works, sound recordings, and broadcasts. The copyright protection generally lasts for 50 years after the creation of the work.
Performers’ Protection Act (11 of 1967, as amended)
This act outlines performers’ rights and ensures that they are compensated when their performances are publicly utilized.
✔ The right to perform a work in public
✔The right to broadcast a work.
✔ The right to transmit a work via a diffusion service (such as online streaming).

Whenever a song is broadcast or publicly performed, the copyright owners (composers, lyricists, publishers) are legally entitled to royalty income. SAMRO manages these rights on behalf of its members. This includes licensing businesses and broadcasters who play music in public places, ensuring they submit music usage reports for royalty calculations.

Only composers and lyricists earn performance royalties through SAMRO. Performers (like singers or instrumentalists) who haven’t written or published the song earn from performance fees and other revenues (like CD sales), but not from SAMRO royalties unless they also contributed to the song’s composition.
Amusement Arcades, Clubs, Gymnasia, Hotels, etc.

Industrial Premises, Live Music Venues, Municipal Facilities, etc.

Radio & TV Broadcasters, Restaurants, Universities, etc.
Amusement Arcades, Clubs, Gymnasia, Hotels, etc.

Industrial Premises, Live Music Venues, Municipal Facilities, etc.

Radio & TV Broadcasters, Restaurants, Universities, etc.

Each business type requires a specific SAMRO application and must adhere to the licensing rules outlined by SAMRO, including reporting music usage.

A SAMRO license is non-transferable. If a business changes ownership or relocates, a new license is required. SAMRO licenses are renewed annually and must comply with local municipality bylaws.
A SAMRO license is non-transferable. If a business changes ownership or relocates, a new license is required. SAMRO licenses are renewed annually and must comply with local municipality bylaws.