Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean - Collective Management

Collective management organizations are the link between creators and users of copyrighted works. They ensure that, as owners of rights, creators receive payment for the use of their works. Collecting societies have three major functions: they license the works in which they hold the copyright for specific uses; they monitor use; and they collect revenues and distribute them, as royalties, to their members.

In the particular case of the LAC region, where music plays a significant role both culturally and economically, the collective management of rights when used effectively, has the potential to become an important source of revenue for creators and thus provide an important basis towards economic growth. Therefore, the Bureau, working in conjunction with CISAC and other Divisions in-house, concentrates on promoting the establishment of collective management societies, where warranted and viable, and in strengthening the administration of operations of existing societies. In particular, the Bureau contributes to human resource development through training, facilitating exchanges with the larger more established societies, as well as automation systems (software and hardware) to computerize operations for existing societies, making them more efficient and cost effective.