This information is specific to APRA AMCOS members. If you are registered with another performing rights organisation, please contact your representative.
Important:
- APRA AMCOS licences only apply to Australia and New Zealand
- APRA AMCOS licences do not cover sound recordings
- APRA AMCOS licences do not cover sync rights (e.g. where a concert has been recorded for delayed or on-demand streaming)
Facebook/Instagram/YouTube
APRA AMCOS has licences in place with these platforms that allow you to live stream our music in performances providing there is no charge to users.
APRA AMCOS encourages our songwriter and composer members to keep track of their set lists for live performances on these platforms so they can pay your royalties from the licence fees collected from the platforms. Make a note of the songs performed (including title and artist), duration of stream, date, time of live stream and platform name and URL, and submit those details here. Please note that any royalties payable will be subject to APRA AMCOS’ distribution policies.
Exporting through a live stream – what rights are needed
APRA AMCOS’ licenses with these platforms do not cover performances where you charge a fee to view/access the performance or are otherwise commercialising the stream. In these cases you will need to contact APRA AMCOS either to obtain a licence or to obtain a licence back (if you are playing a mix of your own songs and covers you will need to do both).
Please email medialicensing@apra.com.au to request a licence if your performance includes songs other than your own and there’s a cost to view.
Please email writer@apra.com.au to request a licence back if your performance includes only your own songs and there’s a cost to view.
APRA AMCOS’ licenses with these platforms also covers streams of pre-recorded and saved performances, but you should also obtain other necessary clearances (such as synchronisation rights) from your music publisher and/or record label if you have a deal. If you have questions, please contact medialicensing@apra.com.au
Your own website
If you are only using your own works and streaming them from your own website, you can contact APRA AMCOS at writer@apra.com.au to arrange a licence back for your works so no licence fee is payable. Please note the administration fee is usually waived and only payable on complex licence back requests.
If you are playing a mix of your own songs and covers, APRA AMCOS will be able to offer you a licence.
For ongoing live streams where you are not charging end-users or you expect to earn less than AU$25,000 in gross revenue per annum (e.g. through advertising, ticket sales or donations), you can use APRA AMCOS’ online mini licence for webcasting which will cover you for ongoing activity over 12 months.
For one-off live streams, the licence fee will be the greater of 8.25% of gross revenue or a minimum fee of $82.50 per event (including GST). This rate is available on an interim basis until 31 December 2021 and remains under review and may be subject to change.
A licence from APRA AMCOS will also allow you to stream pre-recorded or saved performances of music in APRA AMCOS’ repertoire on your own website but note that there may be other necessary clearances (such as synchronisation rights) from music publishers and/or record labels you should obtain. If you have questions, please contact medialicensing@apra.com.au
Note: where a licence is required, APRA AMCOS reserves the right to review each request on its individual circumstances.
Platforms not licensed by APRA AMCOS
There are many other platforms offering ‘solutions’ for artists/bands looking to stream concerts. APRA AMCOS understands that you may be interested in using these platforms but you should note:
- Many are not licensed, including platforms that refuse to obtain necessary licences from APRA AMCOS and other collecting societies.
- If your song is covered by another artist and they stream on one of these platforms, you won’t receive any royalties for this use.
- Many of these platforms will say that the obligation to pay the copyright owners rests with you – this means you will be responsible for obtaining any necessary licences if you choose to use the platform.
If you have further queries on music licensing for live streams, please contact medialicensing@apra.com.au