APRA AND AMCOS question

[stevecollom]

Does anyone know if, APRA and AMCOS are the same company. i have been submitting songs to some librarys with my pro as apra, should i put down apra/amcos ?
thanks
steve

[cardell]

I find this a little confusing too.

Stuart

[el]

Hi there. I think the difference is that APRA is the Australian pro that collects and distributes performance royalties ( like BMI in the US ) and AMCOS collects and distributes mechanical royalties ( like the Harry Fox Agency in the US).

Check out the website for more info:

www.apra-amcos.com.au

Cheers
el

[flyingtadpole]

I missed this for various reasons*

APRA is the PRO. AMCOS is the mechanical rights. They're administered jointly but legally remain two companies.

Because I have public performances AND "real" cd's and tracks out in the world (that is, they're on CDBaby, iTunes, etc, have their barcodes, library deposits) I have membership of both APRA and AMCOS.

If I didn't have those CDs, but still had my work performed at a recognised paid public venue, or broadcast, I would have membership in APRA only.

If I and my works just lurked at home and simply sold records/tracks, I'd be a member of AMCOS but not of APRA (which was the case to begin with).

If I and my works lurked at home and just played on myspace, youtube, soundclick, neither would have or want me as a member.

HTH. BTW, APRA/AMCOS are NOT copyright registering/protection organisations. Australian law is that copyright appears immediately you create something. there is no formal registration needed or available!


*(due to the Garden Shed From Hell and the Ten Thousand Tumbling Trojans which together severely limited my forum reading...)