SAMRO's BIEM membership

SAMRO’s decision to begin administering Mechanical Rights was based on research undertaken within the South African market and examining practices around the world, particularly in Europe.  More importantly the requests by a number of our Performing Rights members to cater for their music rights under one roof was of utmost importance to us.   

On the 1st June 2006 SAMRO were admitted as members to the Bureau International des sociétés gérant les droits d'Enregistrement et de reproduction Mécanique (BIEM) the international organisation representing Mechanical Rights. This paved the way for us to enter into bi-lateral agreements of reciprocal representation with other mechanical rights societies throughout the world.

In order to ensure that our stakeholders requirements are met conveniently and efficiently a Mechanical Rights Division was set up on the 1st January 2008 headed by an Executive General Manager, Mrs Joyce Schulten.

“The response from our members and licensees has been very positive and both our membership and licensee databases are growing rapidly with both local and foreign agreements being signed on a daily basis.   SAMRO’s reputation for excellent corporate governance and putting our stakeholders first will remain the pillars of our daily activities to ensure we continue to create value for creators and uses of music,” explains Joyce.