What is a primary function of Performance Rights Societies?

• A. They publish new compositions for performers.
• B. They monitor music use and collect royalties for public performances; publishing income is split between writers and publishers.
• C. They manufacture physical copies of music.
• D. They manage film distribution rights

Answer: (B)

Performance Rights Societies exist to track when songs are performed publicly and to collect license fees from venues, broadcasters, and digital services. They license these users to perform the works and then distribute the collected royalties to the creators and rights holders—typically the writers/composers and the publishers—according to the ownership shares of each work. This role centers on monitoring usage, collecting payments for public performances, and allocating those funds to the appropriate parties. They do not publish new compositions, manufacture physical copies, or manage film distribution rights, which is why the described function is the most accurate fit.