Irish Music Rights Organisation


The Irish Music Rights Organisation is a national organisation that administers the performing right in copyright music in Ireland on behalf of its members and on behalf of the songwriters, composers and music publishers of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it. At present IMRO has approximately 11,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members.

Role in Irish Culture

In advocating and campaighning for Irish music creators, IMRO plays an essential role in the Irish music industry as well as for the exportation of Irish culture globally.

History

A public performance of copyright music takes place when that music is used anywhere outside of the domestic environment.
IMRO´s function is to collect and distribute royalties arising from the public performance of copyright works. IMRO is a not-for-profit organisation.
Music users such as broadcasters, venues and businesses must pay for their use of copyright music by way of a blanket licence fee. IMRO collects these monies and distributes them to the songwriters, composers and music publishers who created the songs. The monies earned by copyright owners in this way are known as public performance royalties.
IMRO is also prominently involved in the sponsorship and promotion of music in Ireland. Every year it sponsors a large number of song contests, music festivals, seminars, workshops, research projects and showcase performances. Indeed, IMRO is now synonymous with helping to showcase emerging talent in Ireland.
As of 1 January 2016, IMRO handled the collection and distribution of royalties covered by the repertoire of PPI through a joint licensing scheme on a select range of tariffs.