FAQ Category: FAQs for Music Creators

There is no formal system in Ireland for “registering” copyright in a creative work. Copyright automatically exists from the moment an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form — for example, on a tape, CD, digital file, or manuscript.

However, if a dispute arises over ownership, it’s important to be able to prove you owned the work on a particular date. One commonly used method for establishing this proof is as follows:

1. Place your tape, CD, sheet music, or song lyrics in a sealed envelope.
2. Clearly write the title of the work on the outside.
3. Address the envelope to yourself and send it by registered post.
4. When you receive it, do not open the envelope. Ensure the postmark with the date is visible and the envelope remains completely sealed.
5. Store the envelope in a safe place, such as with your solicitor or in a bank deposit box.

This process can help provide evidence of the date of creation in the event of an ownership dispute.

IMRO is one of the most efficient performing rights organisations in the world, providing frequent royalty distributions to members and affiliated societies worldwide — with no additional administration fees on royalties earned from international public performances of your works.

Royalty statements are issued whenever a distribution takes place. The frequency depends on how and where your works are performed, but members can expect:

Monthly statements for royalties from:

• Online performances and streaming services
• Major Live Events
• Live Classical performances and recitals
• Overseas performances of your works

Four major domestic distributions each year for other performance types in Ireland.

Each statement provides a detailed breakdown, including the total amount earned, individual work titles, performance sources, your share in each work, and the amount earned.

Because analysing performance data and allocating royalties is a complex process, there is always a time-lag between IMRO receiving revenues and issuing distributions. However, our monthly and quarterly schedules ensure you receive royalties as quickly as possible.

A royalty is a payment made to the copyright owner of a musical work when it is publicly performed or used.

IMRO collects licence fees from broadcasters, online music providers, venues, pubs, hotels, and many other businesses that use music. Once this revenue is collected and analysed, it is distributed as Public Performance Royalties to the copyright owners of the works that were played or performed.

In other words, royalties are your earnings when your music is used — whether on the radio, streamed online, performed live, or played in public spaces.

To ensure you receive royalties promptly and accurately for music used in films, follow these steps:

Register your works with IMRO

• Register each cue under its individual cue name.
• Also register the full movie title.

This ensures the efficient and timely payment of royalties from public performances of the film.

Ensure cue sheets are submitted

• The film’s producer should send cue sheets to IMRO.
• Check that each cue sheet lists the correct cue names, durations, and other details.

Send documentation to IMRO

• Send a copy of the cue sheet directly to IMRO yourself.
• Include a completed works registration form for any new works.

For more details on registering music for film or works registration in general, please email distributions@imro.ie

If you are in a band, only those members who contribute to the songwriting or composing process — and who meet IMRO’s membership requirements (outlined here) — are eligible to join.

Band members who do not write or compose music do not need to become IMRO members.

No. Copyright law does not apply to names.

However, you have two main options to help protect your band’s name:

Register the name as a business name

• This can be done with the relevant business registration authority in your country.
• It helps prevent others from registering the same name for official use.

Register the name as a trade mark or service mark

• This can be done through your national or regional intellectual property office (e.g., the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, etc.).
• A registered trade mark can prevent others from trading under the same or a confusingly similar name in the regions where it is registered.
• If you want protection worldwide, you’ll need to register in each territory where you intend to operate, or use systems such as the Madrid Protocol for multi-country trade mark protection.

For comprehensive information, including costs and application processes, contact the relevant intellectual property and business registration offices in the countries or regions where you operate.

It is strongly recommended that you seek independent legal advice before proceeding.

Yes. Your place of residence does not affect your ability to become an IMRO member.

As long as you meet IMRO’s membership requirements — outlined in the Become a Member of IMRO section of this website— you can join, regardless of whether you live in Ireland or elsewhere in the world.

No. IMRO does not generally administer what are known as Grand Rights — these usually cover the performance of dramatico-musical works (such as operas, operettas, musicals, revues, or pantomimes written specifically as such) and ballets (choreographic works with a story, plot, or abstract idea, performed through dance or mime).

However, IMRO does administer these rights in certain cases, including:

• When dramatico-musical works or ballets are performed via films made primarily for cinema release, including TV broadcasts of such films.
• When such works are performed in public by means of radio or TV sets (e.g., in hotels, pubs, or public venues).
• TV broadcasts of short ballets (up to five minutes) written for television, or excerpts from existing ballets.

Excerpts from dramatico-musical works:

• Dramatic excerpts are generally controlled by the copyright owner (unless IMRO is authorised to license certain broadcasts).
• Non-dramatic excerpts are controlled by IMRO if they meet specific limits:
  • Public performances: up to 25 minutes, not a complete act or condensed version.
  • Television: up to 20 minutes.
  • Radio: up to 25 minutes or 25% of the full work, whichever is less.

Other exclusions:

• Public performances (but not broadcasts) of music for son-et-lumière productions or dramatic theatre productions when used in conjunction with the production.
• In some cases, words written specifically for commercial advertisements.

Note:

• Non-dramatic excerpts exceeding these limits must be licensed directly by the copyright owner.
• Ballet music (complete or excerpt) is controlled by IMRO when not accompanied by a visual ballet performance.
• If a specially written dramatico-musical work begins as a film, broadcast, or recording and is later adapted to the stage, IMRO does not control the stage performance.

IMRO treats music for advertising in exactly the same way as any other music you create — whether it’s a full composition, signature tune, background score, or jingle. You will receive payment for the use of this music when it is broadcast on radio or TV.

For advertising jingles specifically:

Make sure the advertising agency you work with submits the correct music details to radio and TV.

These details usually include:

• Product name
• Music title used
• Composer’s name
• Duration of the music in the advert

Always confirm with the agency that you have been credited correctly before the campaign goes live.

This ensures IMRO can accurately track and pay royalties for your work.