COMPASS (Composers and Authors Society of Singapore) is a non-profit organization that protects and administers the copyright interests of composers, authors, and music publishers in Singapore. Founded in 1987, it manages public performance, broadcast, diffusion, and reproduction rights for musical works and their associated lyrics, collecting licensing fees from music users and distributing royalties to rights holders.
How COMPASS Works
COMPASS operates as Singapore's primary collective management organization for musical works. Its structure and processes follow the standard CMO model:
- Membership: Composers, authors, and publishers register as members. Membership requires proof of authorship or publishing rights over musical works. Once accepted, members register their individual works (songs, compositions, lyrics) with COMPASS, including ownership splits between writers and publishers.
- Licensing: COMPASS issues blanket licenses to businesses and platforms that use music publicly. This includes television and radio broadcasters, streaming services, live concert venues, restaurants, retail stores, hotels, and bars. The blanket license grants the right to use any work in the COMPASS catalog for a negotiated fee.
- Royalty collection and distribution: COMPASS collects licensing fees from all licensees, then distributes royalties to members based on usage data. Broadcast logs, streaming reports, and live performance setlists are analyzed to determine which works were used and how frequently. Royalties are paid out on a scheduled basis.
- International coverage: As a CISAC member, COMPASS has reciprocal agreements with performing rights organizations worldwide. When a Singaporean composer's music is performed in another country, the local society collects the royalty and remits it back through COMPASS. The reverse also applies for foreign works performed in Singapore.
COMPASS also organizes the annual COMPASS Awards, which recognizes outstanding contributions by Singaporean music creators. The 29th COMPASS Awards ceremony is scheduled for 2026.
Real-World Example: Royalty Distribution in Singapore
A Singaporean songwriter registers a song with COMPASS, listing themselves as 100% writer and 100% publisher. The song gets played on a local radio station 50 times in a quarter, streamed 100,000 times on a digital platform operating in Singapore, and performed live at a licensed concert venue.
COMPASS collects license fees from the radio station, the streaming service, and the concert venue. At the end of the distribution period, COMPASS analyzes the usage data:
- Radio play generates a performance royalty based on the station's blanket license fee and the proportion of airplay the song received.
- Streaming generates a royalty based on the platform's reported usage and the service's license fee.
- Live performance generates a royalty based on the setlist submitted by the venue or promoter.
The songwriter receives a single payment combining all three revenue streams, minus COMPASS's administrative commission. If the same song is also played on radio in Malaysia, MACP (Malaysia's PRO) collects that royalty and sends it to COMPASS, who adds it to the songwriter's next distribution.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a songwriter or composer based in Singapore, joining COMPASS is essential for collecting the royalties you are owed. Without PRO membership, your music can be played on radio, TV, streaming services, and in public venues with no payment reaching you.
For independent artists:
- Join before you release: Register with COMPASS before your music goes public. You can only collect royalties for performances that occur after your membership and work registration are active.
- Register every work: Each song needs its own registration with accurate title, writer shares, and publisher shares. Incomplete registrations lead to delayed or missing payments.
- Understand the Copyright Act 2021: Singapore's Copyright Act 2021 introduced a new right of equitable remuneration for publicly performing sound recordings. This is separate from the rights COMPASS administers (which cover musical works, not recordings). You may need additional licenses for sound recording rights.
- Use the member portal: COMPASS provides an online member portal where you can manage your catalog, view earnings reports, and update your information.
Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your potential streaming earnings, and read our guide to registering your music with a PRO for step-by-step instructions.
Territory Covered
COMPASS administers performing rights, reproduction rights, broadcast rights, and diffusion rights exclusively within Singapore. Its licensing authority covers all public performances, broadcasts, streaming, and mechanical reproduction of musical works that occur within Singapore's jurisdiction under the Copyright Act 2021. Through reciprocal agreements, COMPASS also represents the interests of its members globally when their works are performed in other territories.
How to Join and Membership Fees
COMPASS membership is free. There is no joining fee or annual subscription. To become a member, songwriters, composers, and publishers must:
- Meet the eligibility criteria (proof of authorship or publishing rights over musical works).
- Download the membership application forms from the COMPASS website.
- Submit the completed forms along with required supporting documents to membership@compass.org.sg.
- Assignment of performing rights to COMPASS is compulsory and exclusive for all members. Assignment of reproduction rights is optional.
Applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors at scheduled Council Meetings held on a quarterly basis. The processing period is approximately 3 months. Once admitted, members can register their individual works (songs, compositions, lyrics) with accurate ownership splits between writers and publishers.
Overhead Rate
COMPASS deducts an administration commission of 15% to 18% from collected licensing fees before distributing royalties to members. This rate covers the costs of administration, enforcement, licensing operations, and staff. COMPASS publishes audited financial statements in its Annual Reports, which are publicly available on its website. In 2024, COMPASS collected S$45,446,502 in revenue and distributed S$44,237,542 in royalties to members, with operating expenses of S$1,196,986 and staff costs of S$2,719,550.
Royalty Distribution Schedule
COMPASS distributes performing royalties twice yearly, in April and October. An interim or supplementary distribution may also occur. Royalties are allocated into 7 pools: Broadcasting, General Licenses, Permits, Concerts, Airlines, Cinema, and Online.
Minimum payment thresholds apply. If the royalty amount does not exceed S$100 for local members or S$1,000 for overseas societies, the amount is withheld and distributed together with the October distribution. Reproduction royalties of S$50 or more are distributed upon receipt; smaller amounts are combined with performing rights distributions.
COMPASS also operates a Unlogged Performance Allocations (UPA) system. The UPA amount is currently set at S$150 for each participating member who has received at least S$50 in performing royalties (excluding UPA) for the relevant period.
Reciprocal Agreements
COMPASS is a member of CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers). Through reciprocal representation agreements with affiliated societies worldwide, COMPASS holds the exclusive right to license the repertoire of international societies in Singapore. When a Singaporean composer's music is performed in another country, the local society collects the royalty and remits it back to COMPASS. The reverse applies for foreign works performed in Singapore.
COMPASS also has direct licensing agreements with digital platforms including YouTube, which was the video platform's first collection society deal in Singapore. This agreement allows Singaporean composers, authors, and publishers to receive payments when their music is accessed on YouTube.
Notable Members
COMPASS has recognized numerous Singaporean songwriters, composers, and publishers through its annual COMPASS Awards. Notable members and award recipients include:
- JJ Lin (Lin Junjie) - Top Local Songwriter of the Year recipient in 2022, 2024, and 2025. One of the most commercially successful Mandopop artists.
- Tanya Chua (Cai Jianya) - Top Local Songwriter of the Year in 2023. Multiple Grammy-nominated Mandopop singer-songwriter.
- Jasmine Sokko - Young Local Songwriter of the Year and Young Artiste of the Year in 2025. Electronic pop artist.
- Dick Lee - Composer and lyricist of "Home," which won Top Local English Pop Song in 2025. A prominent Singaporean composer and cultural figure.
- Linying - Young Songwriter of the Year in 2023. Indie folk and pop singer-songwriter.
- ShiGGa Shay - Featured in the COMPASS Songwriter Spotlight Series. Singaporean hip-hop artist.
- Dr. Liang Wern Fook - Cultural Medallion recipient and COMPASS Meritorious Award winner. A pioneer of Xinyao music in Singapore.
- Louis Soliano - Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the 28th COMPASS Awards in 2025. Jazz musician and educator.
- Charlie Lim - Singer-songwriter and producer. Board director of COMPASS.
- Ramli Sarip - Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the 27th COMPASS Awards in 2024. Known as the "Godfather of Singapore rock."
- Universal Music Publishing Pte Ltd - Top Publisher of the Year recipient in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Comparison Table
| Feature | COMPASS (Singapore) | MACP (Malaysia) | JACAP (Jamaica) | COTT (Trinidad and Tobago) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Territory | Singapore | Malaysia | Jamaica | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Join Fee | Free | Free | J$2,500 (one-time) | $150 TTD (one-time) |
| Overhead Rate | 15% to 18% | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Distribution Frequency | Twice yearly (April and October) | 4+ times per year | Twice yearly | 4 times per year |
| CISAC Member | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (provisional) |
| Founded | 1987 | 1989 | 1998 | 1984 |
Videos
Similar PROs
- MACP - Music Authors' Copyright Protection Berhad, Malaysia's performing rights organization
- JACAP - Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers
- COTT - Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago
- PRS for Music - UK's performing rights organization with global reciprocal agreements
Related Terms
- PRO (Performance Rights Organization) - The category of organizations COMPASS belongs to
- Performance Royalties - The primary royalty type COMPASS collects
- Blanket License - The licensing model COMPASS uses for music users
- CMO (Collective Management Organization) - The broader organizational category
- Copyright - The legal foundation for COMPASS's work
Read our PRO comparison guide to see how COMPASS compares to other societies worldwide, or learn about music copyright basics.
Visit the COMPASS website for membership details, licensing information, and the member portal.
