In order to claim royalties for the live performance of your work, you will need to complete an APRA Overseas Live Performance Return Form. In most cases our writers are able to claim performances that have taken place overseas up to three years prior. However, special claimable periods and schemes apply for performances that take place in the United States of America. Please click the territory/s in which the live performance of your music took place, to get territory specific information.
Please be advised that APRA|AMCOS encompasses the areas of both Australia and New Zealand. As such, performances that have taken place in these territories should be submitted as per your normal domestic live performance return, which is available through the online writer member section of our website.
The USA has three performing right societies, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. As an APRA member, any royalties that are generated in the USA are collected by whichever of the three you have designated. All APRA members are designated through ASCAP for the collection of royalties in the USA by default.
ASCAP and SESAC collect and remit royalties for live performances based on the top 200 tours of the year, while BMI collect and remit royalties for live performances based on the top 300 tours. This means that only those writers' works who fall within the top 200 or 300 tours of that year will be credited royalties.
Submit an Overseas Live Performance Return (US SOCIETIES ONLY)»
The ASCAP INTERNATIONAL AWARDS SCHEME was created by ASCAP as a way to supplement their usual distribution practice so that writers who would normally miss out on royalties, can still submit a claim and receive a small nominal payment. Payments range between US $50 & $1000, depending on the volume and scope of performances. The scheme has a specific period which can be claimed and only those performances that take place within the period should be submitted.
Claimable Period = 1st October through to the 30th September the following year (e.g. 1st October 2009 – 30th September 2010).
ASCAP INTERNATIONAL AWARDS SCHEME CLAIMS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO APRA BY THE 31st OF OCTOBER.
BMI LIVE is a newly implemented system in which BMI designated APRA members are able to register your their live concerts and set lists online to be considered for payment in live music venues across the United States, regardless of the size of the venue.
To qualify for BMI Live, you will need to supply information pertaining to the venue where you performed, including the venue's address and phone number. You will also be asked to supply the performance day and time. Also, please include the venue's estimated capacity and cover charge amount (if applicable) in the 'Promoter's Address' field. The schedule for payment for BMI Live is as follows:
| Live Concert Data Entry Deadline | For Performances Between | BMI Distribution |
| March 31, 2011 | July 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 | July 2011 |
| June 30, 2011 | July 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 | October 2011 |
| September 30, 2011 | January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011 | February 2012 |
| December 31, 2011 | April 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011 | April 2012 |
| March 31, 2012 | July 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 | July 2012 |
| June 30, 2012 | October 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 | October 2012 |
Please send an email to writer@apra.com.au, including the works played and the venues in which they were performed.
If you are ASCAP or BMI designated, please click the below link to submit an Overseas Live Performance Return.
Submit an Overseas Live Performance Return (US SOCIETIES ONLY)»
Please be advised that SOCAN, our Canadian affiliate, will require supportive documentation for the live performances of works in order to determine if the performances qualify for concert royalties. For performances that have taken place in bars, clubs or restaurants, it must be shown that a minimum cover charge of $6.00 was charged to the patrons in order to qualify for distribution. Copies of contracts, ticket stubs or advertisements that clearly indicate the cover charge will suffice for proof of performance.
Once you have submitted your Overseas Live Performance Return for Canada, please email all supportive documentation to writer@apra.com.au
In some areas of South America, Copyright law and practice is a relatively new development. Many territories in this area have no royalty collection society at all, or have emerging societies which are currently in their infancy. This means that live performances that have taken place in these territories, would not garner a royalty. If you are unsure as to the status of the society of the territory in which you performed, please contact your local Writer Services representative before submitting your Overseas Live Performance Return at writer@apra.com.au
Please be advised that our affiliates in these territories pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices, as long as the venue is licensed. Please be advised that there is a 3 year period in which to claim for live performances in this territory, as per CISAC requirements. Payment for performances in this territory will depend on the frequency with which the society makes their distributions and can be up to two years after the performance takes place.
Also, due to the large amount of similarly titled venues within the UK, please supply as much detailed information about the venue as possible. When submitting for claims that have taken place in the UK, providing the Post Code is essential.
Please be advised that our affiliates in these territories pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices, as long as the venue is licensed. Please be advised that there is a 3 year period in which to claim for live performances in this territory, as per CISAC requirements. Payment for performances in this territory will depend on the frequency with which the society makes their distributions and can be up to two years after the performance takes place.
Performed in other countries in this territory?
Please be advised that our affiliates in these territories do not collect or pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices and therefore there will be no royalties forthcoming for any performances taking place in this territory. If your work was performed in other territories please do not hesitate to submit another claim advising us of its details.
Please be advised that our affiliates in these territories pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices, as long as the venue is licensed. Please be advised that there is a 3 year period in which to claim for live performances in this territory, as per CISAC requirements. Payment for performances in this territory will depend on the frequency with which the society makes their distributions and can be up to two years after the performance takes place.
Performed in other countries in this territory?
Please be advised that our affiliates in these territories do not collect or pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices and therefore there will be no royalties forthcoming for any performances taking place in this territory. If your work was performed in other territories please do not hesitate to submit another claim advising us of its details.
Please be advised that our affiliates in this territory pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices. Please be advised that there is a 3 year period in which to claim for live performances in this territory, as per CISAC requirements. Payment for performances in this territory will depend on the frequency with which the society makes their distributions and can be up to two years after the performance takes place.
Please be advised that our affiliates in these territories do not collect or pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices and therefore there will be no royalties forthcoming for any performances taking place in this territory. If your work was performed in other territories please do not hesitate to submit another claim advising us of its details.
Please be advised that our affiliates in this territory pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices. Please be advised that there is a 3 year period in which to claim for live performances in this territory, as per CISAC requirements. Payment for performances in this territory will depend on the frequency with which the society makes their distributions and can be up to two years after the performance takes place.
Please be advised that our affiliates in this territory pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices. Please be advised that there is a 3 year period in which to claim for live performances in this territory, as per CISAC requirements. Payment for performances in this territory will depend on the frequency with which the society makes their distributions and can be up to two years after the performance takes place.
Please be advised that our affiliates in this territory pay royalties for live performances as part of their distribution rules and practices. Please be advised that there is a 3 year period in which to claim for live performances in this territory, as per CISAC requirements. Payment for performances in this territory will depend on the frequency with which the society makes their distributions and can be up to two years after the performance takes place.
If your performance took place in China, please be advised that Copyright law and practice is a relatively new development in China, and physical and internet piracy is a common occurrence. While there is a performing right society there that we are affiliated with (Music Copyright Society of China - MCSC), licensing penetration, collections and distributions are very weak. There is still no broadcast licensing for musical works in China, although this is something we have been working on at a government level for the past 15 years. If you know you are touring, you may wish to contact APRA member services in advance to discuss and we can query MCSC about the likelihood of payment.
If your performance took place in Thailand, please be advised that Copyright law and practice is a relatively new development in Thailand. While there is a performing right society there that we are affiliated with (MCT) licensing penetration, collections and distributions are very weak. If you know you are touring, you may wish to contact APRA member services in advance to discuss and we can query MCT about the likelihood of payment.
If your performance took place in Vietnam, please be advised that Copyright law and practice is a relatively new development in Vietnam. While there is a performing right society there that we are affiliated with (VCPMC) licensing penetration, collections and distributions are very weak. If you know you are touring, you may wish to contact APRA member services in advance to discuss and we can query VCPMC about the likelihood of payment.
Please be advised that live performances taking place in any other Asian territory besides the ones listed, will not garner a royalty. If your work was performed in other territories, please do not hesitate to submit another claim advising us of its details.