AKM Fees: Registration, Obligations, and Benefits

Key Takeaways

AKM is a complex topic that raises many questions for music users. Here are the key points at a glance:

• Every public use of music in Austria requires a license from AKM (performance rights) and often additionally from Austro Mechana (mechanical rights)
• It does not matter whether you book a live band, hire a DJ, or play music via streaming services like Spotify; the deciding factor is whether the use is public
• Fees are based on tariffs regulated since the 1950s, which depend on the type of event, the size of the venue, admission fees, and the duration of the music performance
• Registering on time (at least 3 days before the event) avoids surcharges, penalties, and legal action, while ensuring royalties reach the creators

What is AKM and what is its role?

AKM, which stands for "Authors, Composers and Music Publishers," is the Austrian copyright society for the performance and broadcasting rights of musical works. As a collecting society, it collectively manages the rights of its members and ensures they are fairly compensated for the public use of their works.

Founded in Vienna in 1897, the society is one of the oldest collecting societies in Europe. It operates under the Austrian Copyright Act and represents tens of thousands of members today, including composers, lyricists, and music publishers from both Austria and abroad.

Closely linked to AKM is its sister society, Austro Mechana, which has managed mechanical rights since the 1930s. This includes reproduction on sound carriers, downloads, and streaming. In practice, this means: while AKM is responsible for the performance of a piece of music at a concert, Austro Mechana comes into play when that same piece is pressed onto a CD or offered for download.

As a member of international umbrella organizations like CISAC and GESAC, AKM also facilitates cross-border licensing. This means that if you play international music at your event, those rights are also covered through reciprocal agreements with foreign societies.

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When is an AKM license required?

Under Austrian copyright law, a "public performance" occurs when music is made accessible to a larger, changing group of people, extending beyond a purely private setting. The crucial question is: Is the music performance intended for the public?

In Germany, the same logic applies under a different name and with its own tariffs. If you are hosting an event there, you can find the process in the overview of GEMA fees for events.

Typical examples of music use requiring a license:

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How do you register an event with AKM?

As an organizer, you are required to register every event featuring music with AKM in advance. This applies regardless of whether you hire a band, book a DJ, or play recorded music.

The registration process at a glance:

1. Online registration via the AKM portal
2. Selection of the appropriate tariff based on your event type
3. Entry of relevant data: date, location, type of music performance, expected number of visitors
4. Receipt of the performance permit after review and payment

Registration should be completed at least 3 days before the event begins. Ideally, you should register earlier so that cost estimates are available in time and you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Typical occasions that require an AKM registration:

• Club nights in Vienna and other cities
• Open-air concerts in summer
• Balls and graduation balls
• Company anniversaries and Christmas parties
• Club events in community centers
• Parish festivals and charity events

In some cases, third parties handle the registration centrally, such as student unions for university parties or cultural associations for regular event series. Check in advance whether this is the case for your event.

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How much does AKM cost?

AKM fees are based on published tariffs that are transparent and publicly available. Costs vary depending on the type of usage and are calculated according to a program that takes various factors into account.

A basic distinction is made between:

• Single events: A specific event such as a concert evening or a company party
• Long-term contracts: Regular usage such as daily background music in a restaurant or shop

Factors that influence the fee amount:

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The exact fee for your event depends on the venue size, number of visitors, and admission price. The quickest way to calculate this combination is to use the AKM calculator before you submit your registration.

Organizer obligations and risks of non-registration

As the organizer, you bear full responsibility for the AKM registration and payment of fees, not the performing artists or musicians. These regulations are clearly anchored in copyright law.

Your specific obligations include:

• Timely registration before the event (at least 3 days in advance)
• Accurate information regarding expected visitor numbers and revenue
• Submission of setlists for larger concerts
• Timely payment of performance fees

Consequences of failure to register or providing false information:

AKM conducts random checks. If events are discovered without prior licensing, you may face:

• Back payments of regular fees
• Processing surcharges for the additional administrative effort
• Default interest for late payments
• Legal action for copyright infringement in extreme cases

Retroactive registration is also possible, known as post-licensing. However, this involves more effort and higher costs. You should therefore never make the decision to register late lightly.

Recommendation: If you have any questions or uncertainties regarding licensing requirements, contact AKM directly at an early stage or seek legal advice. The AKM service team is available to provide you with information.

AKM membership for authors, composers, and publishers

It is not just music users who deal with AKM; music creators and publishers can also join the society to have their rights managed collectively. Membership provides the framework for the professional exploitation of one's own musical works.

Eligible for membership are:

• Composers
• Lyricists
• Arrangers of musical works
• Music publishers

The requirements for admission are straightforward: membership is granted upon application and payment of an entrance fee. The deciding factor is not citizenship, but the actual use of the works within the AKM repertoire—in other words, whether your musical works are performed in public, broadcast, or used online.

How royalty accounting works:

1. Users report their music usage (setlists, broadcast logs, playlists)
2. AKM processes this data
3. Distribution is carried out according to established distribution plans and statutes
4. Royalties are paid out to the entitled creators

Beyond mere rights management, AKM also offers social and cultural support. This includes social funds for members in need, cultural grants for projects, and dedicated subsidiaries for retirement provision. The president of AKM and its committees actively advocate for the interests of music creators in Austria and around the world.

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Reporting to AKM and technical planning are more closely linked than they appear: both calculations require the same figure, namely the actual number of attendees. If you estimate this accurately once, you have it for both the tariff and the music systems for club events and corporate parties at the same time.

History and development of AKM

AKM was founded in Vienna in 1897, making it one of the pioneers among European collecting societies. The original goal was clearly defined: to safeguard the material and moral interests of music creators against concert promoters, theaters, and later, broadcasters.

Key milestones in our history:

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Today, AKM represents tens of thousands of members, works with international partners, and remains a central part of Austrian cultural life. The name stands for over 125 years of commitment to the rights of music creators.