IMRO and SESAC announce international digital rights partnership

The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and US company SESAC Performing Rights have announced a new international partnership under which IMRO will administer SESAC writer-share online performing rights royalties.

The partnership began on October 1 and allows IMRO to process usage data, provide reporting and distribute royalties to SESAC when their members' music is broadcast, streamed or publicly performed in Ireland. SESAC will then do the same for IMRO when Irish creators' music is played in the US marketplace.

The agreement covers the writer share of royalties. Publisher-share royalties will continue to be administered through publisher arrangements.

The agreement builds on the Irish rights organisation and SESAC's relationship, reflecting their "shared focus on effective rights administration and service to creators," according to a statement.

"We are delighted to enter into this agreement with SESAC," said IMRO Chief Executive Victor Finn. "It reflects the trust between our organisations and recognises the strength of IMRO's international digital rights administration and collections capabilities."

SESAC is the third-largest performing rights organisation in the US, with a catalogue of more than 1.5 million musical works. They are recognised for having the fastest distribution turnaround among the top three societies.

"Working with an organisation of SESAC's standing strengthens IMRO's position as a trusted administration partner within the global rights management community," said IMRO Chief Commercial Officer Seán Donegan.

The US rights company represents the likes of Adele, Burna Boy, Neil Diamond, David Crosby, Kesha, R.E.M., and more.

In the US, SESAC is strictly invitation-only for artists, but because of IMRO's international reciprocal network, Irish artists can bypass this barrier and gain access to SESAC's collection network.

"SESAC is committed to ensuring that our affiliated songwriters and composers receive effective representation and high-quality administration as the international digital music market continues to evolve," said the President of SESAC International, Alexander Wolf.

"IMRO brings considerable experience in multi-territory online rights administration and shares our focus on accuracy, transparency and service to creators," he continued. "We look forward to working together through this new arrangement and to building a strong and successful partnership."