Copyright,the music business,and the evolution of performing rights organisations

Abstract

This article introduces a special issue on Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) and their evolving role in the digital music industry. Despite their critical function in ensuring fair compensation for music creators, PROs remain underexplored in scholarly research. This issue addresses that gap by presenting six studies examining PROs across different global contexts—Australia, Germany, China, the United States, and Southern Africa. These articles analyze governance structures, competition, licensing challenges, and the impact of digital platforms and regulatory interventions, such as the EU Digital Single Market Directive and the U.S. Music Modernization Act. Collectively, they highlight how PROs are transitioning from national monopolies to globalized, competitive entities, navigating tensions between market concentration, cultural diversity, and equitable remuneration. This introduction outlines their key findings, offering insights into broader intellectual property and digital governance debates.