APRA AMCOS collects licence fees from digital service providers like Apple for music and ringtones offered for purchase via digital download.
Digital service providers send us detailed electronic files containing information relating to a downloaded song or album, and either the total sales value of the downloads in the reporting period (usually quarterly) or the sales value of each individual download and the total number of times it has been downloaded. This model represents a full census, direct allocation distribution process, as we are told exactly what songs or albums have been purchased so we can determine who should be paid based on the ownership details in our system.
The records in the files received from digital service providers are directly matched to the vast repertoire of songs in our database. For songs that do not match automatically, a record is created in our database once the total combined APRA AMCOS royalty payable is more than $15 and this prompts our research team to carry out research and update the song information. Our research team prioritise songs with total combined APRA AMCOS royalty of $100 or more first. Unfortunately, it is not cost effective for staff to research every unmatched song.
The APRA AMCOS distribution for downloads is ‘transactional’, in that each song’s distribution payment is calculated as a percentage of the value of its sales amount. The majority of the royalty relates to the reproduction of the song and is distributed to members of AMCOS.
Due to the close correlation of downloads and ringtones sales data, Apple ringtone licence fees are distributed using the Apple Music sales data. Other ringtone providers’ licence fees are distributed on a ‘transactional’ basis, in that each song’s distribution payment is calculated as a percentage of the value of its sales amount.
APRA
The royalty amounts for the unmatched songs are added back into royalty pool, to be apportioned across the matched songs that have successfully been allocated.
AMCOS
The royalty amounts for the unmatched songs are held in the AMCOS General Control Account. The funds are held for as long as is it takes to identify the copyright owner, at which point they are paid in the next distribution.
Distributions for digital downloads and ringtones are calculated and paid quarterly.
View our information guide on Unidentified Songs and Disputes for more information.
Songs:
The Copyright Act refers to compositions, musical scores in the form of sheet music, broadsheets or other notation as musical works. Lyrics or words to a song are considered literary works. When we refer to songs, we are referring to all the elements of a musical/literary work protected by copyright.
Full census:
the licensee provides complete reports detailing all songs played, broadcast or streamed.
Direct Allocation:
royalties are distributed via comprehensive reporting to ensure that all reported works (subject to any thresholds that may apply) share in the distribution of the corresponding licence fees).
This fact sheet is a guide only. Refer to our full Distribution Rules and Practices for more information.