Any time a song you composed is played in public – via a live performance or on the radio or through speakers at a restaurant, a gym, an office – that “performance” generates a corresponding performance royalty. These royalties are collected by the performing rights organization (PRO eg: STIM, PRS, BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, GMR) in which that performance took place. Performance royalties are payments made to songwriters and publishers for the use of their music in public performances, such as radio play, television or movies. These royalties are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), who then distribute them to the artists and publishers.