History of Rights Organizations
The following timeline details the evolution of music royalty organizations from 1914 to the present day
2025 (GRO) Generative Rights Organization
AI Royalties
The First AI Royalty Operating System is established. The AI Royalty Operating System (AI-ROS) is Monarrch’s patented infrastructure designed to deliver a world where artists are paid when their work is being used by Gen-AI.
2018 SoundExchange
Mechanical Royalties for Streaming
SoundExhange collects digital performance royalties for artists from non-interactive services like Pandora and SiriusXM..
1952 RIAA
Master Recordings
The RIAA (Recording Industry Associatoion of America) formed in 1952. Its mission was to administer recording copyright fees with trade unions.
1927 HFA
Mechanical Rights Organization MRO(s)
The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) was established in 1927 and served as a mechanical rights administrator for the music industry, licensing royalties for the reproduction of musical works.
1914 ASCAP
Performance Rights Organizations PRO(s)
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Established by Irving Berlin, Philip Sousa to help music creators monetize player pianos. PROs assure that music creators are fairly compensated for the public performance of their works. Broadcast Media Incorporated (BMI) was established as a competitor in 1939.
