Economical and fair
As collecting societies, we must adhere to fixed royalty distribution rules that apply equally to all music creators, regardless of their level of popularity. You can view the distribution rules and find them explained in this folder.
The extent of usage of the work is what is ultimately distributed. AKM and austro mechana pay the proceeds to their members directly and in case of the members of sister companies internationally, via these sister companies.
Before distribution, we deduct the operating expenses incurred (AKM) or the commission fees (austro mechana) — we have no profit! This expense deduction by AKM has amounted to around 10–12% in recent years, a very low value by international comparison. We also use this to cover the costs of social and cultural grant and promotional opportunities for AKM members.
Music is increasingly being streamed on on-demand platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. In order to process usage reports more quickly and accurately and to help ensure that creators receive their royalties promptly, AKM has established a strategic partnership with ICE (International Copyright Enterprise) in the field of multi-territorial online licensing. Additionally, the data processing of several online platforms is carried out through AKM’s NEON software.
The individual areas entrusted to AKM for administration give rise to the various AKM royalty distribution categories. Currently, AKM issues four statements per year.
March
ORF Radio Q3
Diverse Auslandsabrechnungen
Online
June
ORF Radio Q4 + Endabrechnung
ORF Radio: Großes Recht
ORF Fernsehen: 2. Halbjahr + Pauschalabrechnung
ORF Fernsehen: Großes Recht
ORF Fernsehen Film 2. Halbjahr + Pauschalabrechnung
Live-Aufführungen der Ernsten Musik
Live-Aufführungen der Unterhaltungsmusik
Mechanische Musik
Wienerlied – Unterhaltungsmusik
Kabarett/ Einlagenmusik
Kinofilm
Diskotheken
Kirchenmusik
Diverse Auslandsabrechnungen
Online
September
ORF Radio Q1
Fernsehen Privat Österreich
Radio Privat Österreich
Diverse Auslandsabrechnungen
Online
December
ORF Fernsehen 1. Halbjahr
ORF Fernsehen Film 1. Halbjahr
ORF Radio Q2
Live-Aufführungen der Unterhaltungsmusik
Mechanische Musik
Kabelentgelt GEMA
Kabelentgelt SUISA
Österreichische Programm- und
Werbefenster in deutschen Sendern
3‑Sat und 3‑Sat Film (inkl. 3‑Sat Großes Recht)
Diverse Auslandsabrechnungen
Online
The various distribution categories by austro mechana arise from the individual areas that are entrusted to austro mechana. Austro mechana currently issues three main statements per year (July, September, December) as well as a payment in mid-March.
March
Radio ORF Q3 des Vorjahres
TV ORF 1. Halbjahr des Vorjahres
Ausland
Online
July
Radio ORF Q4 des Vorjahres
Radio ORF Große Rechte des Vorjahres
Phono 2. Halbjahr des Vorjahres
Video 2. Halbjahr des Vorjahres
Ausland Phono (Konzernpressungen)
2. Halbjahr des Vorjahres
Speichermedienvergütung
Zuschlag Österreich
Zuschlag Österreich Online
Ausland
Online
September
Radio ORF Endabrechnung des Vorjahres
Radio ORF Q1 des laufenden Jahres
TV ORF 2. Halbjahr des
Vorjahres plus Pauschalabrechnung
Diverse Aufnahmen des Vorjahres
Privatradio/ TV des Vorjahres
Ausland
Online
December
Radio ORF Q2 des laufenden Jahres
Phono 1. Halbjahr des laufenden Jahres
Video 1. Halbjahr des laufenden Jahres
Ausland Phono (Konzernpressungen)
1. Halbjahr des laufenden Jahres
TV 3‑Sat des Vorjahres
Werbefenster des Vorjahres
Ausland
Online
The most important distribution divisions of both companies and the distribution intervals are listed here. You can find exact details in the usage statements.
ORF Radio
Broadcasts on all ORF radio stations, with the exception of the grand rights that apply.
Online
Music on demand streaming, Music on demand download, Video on demand streaming, Video on demand download, etc.
ORF television
Programs on ORF TV with the exception of feature-length films on television and TV films as well as grand rights.
ORF TV film
Feature-length films and TV films on ORF television
Pop music
Live performances at popular music events
Mechanical music
In the ‘Mechanical Music’ division, those works are accounted for that occur in the same distribution period in the Musical Music division and for which a commercial recording is or was available in Austria or which have recorded online usage from previous periods.
Cabaret/interlude music
Musical performances in cabarets, stage works, etc.
Electronic music
Live performances at classical music events.
Church music
Liturgical music
Nightclubs
Public reproduction of mechanical music in discos.
Feature-length films
Music in films shown in cinemas.
Grand right/TV ORF
Broadcasts of music-dramatic works on ORF television.
Grand right/Radio ORF
Broadcasts of music-dramatic works on ORF radio.
3‑Sat
Broadcasts on ORF, ZDF, ARD and SRG joint channels. The ORF program parts are included in the distribution.
3‑Sat film
Feature-length films and TV films on the joint broadcasters of ORF, ZDF, ARD and SRG. The ORF program parts are included in the distribution.
Program window
Program parts for the Austrian broadcasting area on private German broadcasters.
Advertising window
Advertising for the Austrian broadcasting area on private German broadcasters.
Private television Austria
Broadcasts on Austrian private television.
Private television film Austria
Feature-length films and television films on Austrian private television.
Private radios Austria
Broadcasts on Austrian private radio stations.
Austria Radio ORF
This statement contains the license fees incurred for broadcasts on ORF radio for mechanical reproductions for so-called ‘small rights’.
Online
This distribution mainly includes royalties for music on demand with streaming and downloading.
Austria TV ORF
This statement of accounts includes the license fees for mechanical reproductions of the previous calendar year for broadcasts on ORF television for small rights. Rights for the music in third-party productions (e.g. American sound films and American series) are not exercised by austro mechana.
Austria Phono
This distribution concerns royalties from the license fees collected directly by austro mechana in the sound recording sector. These royalties consist of royalties from ongoing individual productions (so-called special pressings) as well as from trade, club sales and exports from austro mechana’s BIEM/IFPI contractual partners in the previous six months.
Foreign Phono (corporate pressings)
Some multinational record companies have concluded a so-called “central licensing agreement” with collecting companies internationally for the purpose of this company centrally calculating and collecting the royalties from sound recording sales for each sales country. These licenses are then forwarded to the collecting society in the respective sales country for further distribution. These license fees are included in the “Foreign Phono” distribution for the previous six months.
Austria video
This royalty calculation contains the license fees collected for the mechanical reproduction of audiovisual media, i.e., in each case, for the previous six months.
Austria Radio/TV ORF — grand rights
This royalty breakdown includes the license fees for mechanical reproductions of the previous calendar year for broadcasts of music-dramatic works on ORF (radio and television).
Austria TV 3‑Sat
This royalty breakdown includes the license fees for mechanical reproduction for the so-called small rights of the previous calendar year for broadcasts for the ORF share in 3sat.
Austria TV 3‑Sat – grand rights at play
This royalty breakdown includes the license fees for mechanical reproductions of the previous calendar year incurred for broadcasts of music-dramatic works for the ORF share in 3sat.
Austria private radio/TV (Austria private station)
This royalty breakdown includes the license fees for mechanical reproductions incurred for broadcasts from private broadcasters (radio and television) in the previous calendar year.
Austria — various recordings
This royalty breakdown includes license fees for recordings on sound recordings or video recordings intended for public performances, as well as fees for other recordings from the previous calendar year.
German advertising windows
This royalty breakdown includes the license fees for mechanical reproductions of music in commercials on German private television in the previous calendar year.
Storage media compensation
This statement contains the distribution of 50% of the total income from the storage media compensation of the previous year, which is distributed as a uniform lump percentage surcharge on the assessment basis.
SMV movie
From the 50% share of the total income from storage media remuneration, that share of video income is allocated to film distribution in advance, which corresponds to the proportion of the total broadcasting time of the music in films (third-party productions) broadcast in the ORF’s television programs and in the ORF’s program share on 3sat. This statement contains the distribution of the determined amount.
Surcharge
This accounting concerns license fees where the costs of distribution are disproportionately high in relation to the amount attributable to the individual work.
We provide usage statements for respective Austria-based royalty distribution free of charge. The following data can be accessed in the usage lists: performance, location and date, name of the organizer or broadcaster, broadcast area, broadcast date and broadcast duration.
The usage list is available in the service portal under My Hits.
Depending on the usage of your works, you can receive up to eight payments per year from AKM and austro mechana.
FAQ
These are the payments that authors receive for the use of their works. Within the scope of the AKM’s activities — these are public performances and broadcasts — AKM members receive their royalties from AKM. As far as within austro mechana’s radar of awareness – e.g. for sound recording sales or phono distribution — austro mechana members receive their royalties from austro mechana.
The distribution takes place according to royalty distribution rules which are decided by the board of AKM or the general meeting of austro mechana and are continually adjusted ⎯ both bodies that are composed exclusively of composers, music lyricists and music publishers.
Before distribution, only the operating expenses incurred are deducted. AKM and austro mechana do not make any profit from the income!
We have reciprocity agreements with foreign sister companies in all parts of the world, on the basis of which the license fees for our members are collected in that respective context and the resulting royalties are subsequently distributed to us accordingly. We will then distribute the amounts received with you (international distribution).