IMRO's aim is to enhance the wellbeing of all those whom it represents. It does this through administrative excellence, innovative management, high quality and superior service.
IMRO is a national organisation that administers the performing right in copyright music in Ireland on behalf of its members - songwriters, composers and music publishers - and on behalf of the members of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it. 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 copyright owners involved. 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.
Music Licensing
IMRO issues licences to those wishing to use copyright music in public and in the on-line environment.
IMRO’s tariff setting policy is based on negotiating agreements with trade bodies representing the various sections of the music using public in Ireland. It has been singularly successful in this policy and all of the bodies representing the main music users in the country have now agreed tariffs with IMRO - the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurant Owners Association of Ireland, the Licensed Vintners Association, the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, the Association of Independent Radio Stations, Radio TeilifÃÂÂÂs Éireann and so on.
IMRO is constantly working on raising awareness of the implications of the public use of music in terms of royalties due, including the sponsorship of prizes for excellence in legal, marketing and hotel management studies in various colleges and universities in Ireland.
IMRO is keenly aware of the inadequacies in copyright legislation, not only in Ireland but in other countries too. It worked closely with the Irish Government on the drafting of the new Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 which was signed into law by President McAleese on Monday 10th July 2000. It also works with the European Commission on intellectual property issues and was instrumental in getting the European Commission to lodge its successful complaint against the US Authorities regarding inadequate copyright protection.
As you can see, IMRO is not just about collecting royalties! It is constantly working to better protect the rights of those whom it represents by promoting awareness about copyright issues, working with government, and educating the music using public. It is committed to giving new creative talent a chance, whether it be helping with a school concert, sponsoring prizes, showcasing new bands or getting a group of creators together for a good old 'brainstorming' session!
IMRO is a member of :
CISAC
(Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Auteurs et Compositeurs)
GESAC
(Groupement Européen des Sociétés D’Auteurs et Compositeurs)
EMO
(European Music Office)
