RequirementsON THIS PAGE:
 - Becoming a member
 - Notification of works
 - Live / Recorded Performance Returns

In order to download Membership Forms, click on the Resources tab above

Becoming a member

Becoming a member of SAMRO is easy! There is no joining fee or annual subscription, only a few simple requirements. * Individual composers and lyricists can join if they have works that are active - that is the music must have been broadcast, or performed in public in a significant way, for at least the two years prior to joining. It must also have been transmitted through a diffusion service (music that is, for example, played in a shopping mall). * Publishers can join SAMRO if the publishing entity has a catalogue of several works of which at least two thirds must have been commercially published. Some or all of the writers represented by the publisher must be members of SAMRO or its affiliated societies. To apply you will need to fill in both an Application for Membership of as well as Notification of Works Forms to be affiliated to SAMRO- the latter forms are required to be filled in with each new work composed. Membership forms are available from our Customers Services Department. Ensure that you fill in each step of the Membership Application properly and once you have completed your form, you must send it to SAMRO’s Customer Services Department.

New composer/author registrants , do not forget to attach the following details in your Membership Application and Notification of Works forms:
- a valid ID copy
- proof of copyright by means of either a CD, cassette or staff notation.
(Staff notation because all music must be written before it can be read, understood, and played by composers/musicians.)

Notification of works

It is essential for rights holders to fill in both the Membership application- as well as the Notification of Works forms. Both are necessary to ensure that composers are fully paid for any performance of their work. * Notification of Works is the foundation on which SAMRO’s royalty distribution is based. It is essential that only original musical works are notified to SAMRO by writers. * Remember that both published (works assigned to a publisher member of SAMRO) and unpublished (all works specially commissioned for a film, video, or television/radio programme as advertising jingles, logos, bumpers, stings and promos) works must be notified to SAMRO by the composer/author. Publishers must complete a Publisher Notification of Work Application for each new work published by the company - over and above that completed by the composer/author. Remember that a Deed of Assignment between the publisher and composer/author must accompany each Notification of Works form. Notification of Works forms are available from our Customer Services Department.

Live / Recorded Performance Returns

In order to earn properly, music rights holders have a responsibility to inform SAMRO each time their works are performed live or during a recorded performance. This is a responsibility that falls on the members of SAMRO who must fill-in live/recorded performance returns with due care and diligence. These are available from our Membership Department.

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