Since 1926 APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association) has been making life a little easier for songwriters, composers and music users. New Zealand copyright law makes songwriters and composers the exclusive owners of their original music and lyrics. Nobody else can use their work without getting their permission first, and if necessary, paying a royalty for this use. This is where APRA steps in. APRA is a not-for-profit organisation that collects royalties on behalf of its 50,000 members including over 6,000 New Zealand members, and by agreement, for all the copyright owners around the world.

In addition, APRA manages the reproduction rights business of its sister collecting society, AMCOS (Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners’ Society). AMCOS represents virtually all music publishers in Australia and New Zealand and, through reciprocal arrangements, the vast majority of the world’s composers, writers and music publishers.

In short, APRA promotes the value of music, licenses music users and distributes royalties to music writers.

Copyright and royalties
Whenever music is performed in public, communicated or reproduced the songwriter may be entitled to a payment or royalty. This is because the New Zealand Copyright Act gives writers what are known as ‘economic rights’ which cover certain uses of their music. By licensing and allowing the public performance, communication or reproduction of their music, songwriters may generate income known as royalties.

Copyright and APRA

Public performances of music include music used in pubs, clubs, fitness centres, shops, cinemas, festivals, CDs or even playing the radio or television. Communication of music covers music used for music on hold, music accessed over the internet or by television or radio broadcasters. Reproduction of music covers making a copy of the work, such as a CD recording, using music in a video or DVD, a mobile phone ring tone, digital download, as production music or in the making of audiovisual and broadcast material.

APRA collects and then pays these royalties to its members throughout the year. Royalties collected from domestic sources are paid twice a year in May and November; overseas royalties are paid as they accrue.

How royalties are distributed

Music - a ‘user pays’ system
All businesses, organisations or individuals that choose to publicly perform, communicate, or reproduce copyright music need permission from the copyright owners.

In most instances, an APRA licence provides a simple solution. This is because APRA collectively administers the public performance and communication rights on behalf of the majority of New Zealand and overseas copyright owners. APRA simplifies the legal process for business proprietors who would otherwise need to obtain a licence from each copyright owner whose music they wish to play.

How music users are licensed

Since 1997, APRA has also been able to offer a number of reproduction licences through AMCOS (Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners' Society), a music copyright collection society that represents music publishers and writers from around the world for rights in the reproduction (copying) of their music.

The APRA and AMCOS relationship

Supporting New Zealand Songwriters and Composers
APRA is deeply committed to supporting new and established New Zealand songwriters and composers, across all genres of music. Each year, APRA hosts the Silver Scroll Awards which recognise creative excellence across the genres of popular, contemporary Maori, and contemporary classical music.

In addition every two years, APRA conducts the Professional Development Award to support up and coming music writers; and also provides ongoing support to the music community through a generous music grants program.

The Silver Scroll Awards
Other support initiatives