Music Copyright (Thailand) Ltd. (MCT) is Thailand's collective management organization for musical works, administering performing and reproduction rights on behalf of its members and overseas affiliated societies. Based in Bangkok, it licenses businesses that play music publicly across Thailand and distributes collected royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers. It is best suited for Thai creators and international rightsholders whose music is performed or reproduced within Thai territory.
How MCT Works
MCT operates under a deed of assignment where members transfer their performing and reproduction rights to the society. The organization then licenses music users across several categories: radio and television broadcasting, public performance in retail shops, hotels, restaurants, and karaoke venues, and reproduction rights for physical and digital media.
MCT collects royalties from these licensees and distributes them to rightsholders based on usage data gathered through broadcast logs, cue sheets, and monitoring systems. The distribution rules (last revised September 2024) govern how collected revenue is allocated among members and foreign societies.
The Unlogged Performance Allocation (UPA) compensates for performances missed due to sampling limitations. UPA is split 70% to Thai music members and 30% to international music members of overseas affiliated societies, as determined by the Board of Directors.
MCT does not administer Grand Right performances (full theatrical works, ballet, operas) unless specifically requested by the interested parties. This is standard practice for most PROs, as Grand Rights are typically negotiated directly between producers and rightsholders.
MCT is a CISAC member (joined January 1, 1997, CISAC Code 126) and maintains reciprocal representation agreements with PROs worldwide. This means foreign creators whose music is played in Thailand can receive royalties through their home society's agreement with MCT, and Thai members can collect royalties when their works are performed abroad.
Real-World Example
A Thai songwriter registers 20 compositions with MCT. A Bangkok hotel holds an MCT blanket license covering background music in its lobby and restaurant. A radio station in Chiang Mai plays 5 of the songwriter's tracks in a given quarter, and a karaoke venue in Phuket includes 3 of their songs in its catalog.
MCT collects license fees from all three businesses. The radio station's usage is logged through broadcast monitoring. The hotel and karaoke venue fees are allocated based on reported usage. The songwriter receives a distribution proportional to the number of logged performances, minus MCT's administrative overhead.
If the same songwriter's music is also played on radio in Japan, MCT's reciprocal agreement with JASRAC means JASRAC collects those royalties and remits them to MCT, which then distributes them to the songwriter in a subsequent distribution cycle.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a Thai songwriter, composer, or publisher, MCT is the primary organization in Thailand that collects performance and reproduction royalties on your behalf. Without MCT membership, you earn zero royalties from public performances of your music in Thailand, regardless of how often it gets played.
Register your works with MCT before they are publicly released. Provide accurate metadata including ISRC codes, ISWC numbers, and correct split sheets. MCT's distribution system relies on usage data matching, so incomplete or incorrect registration data means your royalties may go unclaimed or be allocated to the UPA pool instead of your account.
If you are an international artist whose music is performed in Thailand, you do not need to join MCT directly. Your home PRO (such as ASCAP, BMI, PRS for Music, or JASRAC) should have a reciprocal agreement with MCT. Ensure your works are properly registered with your home society so they can claim royalties from MCT on your behalf.
MCT's distribution cycles and timelines may differ from Western PROs. Contact the society directly or check their website for current distribution schedules and membership requirements.
Potential Drawbacks
MCT's public performance monitoring relies on sampling, not census-based tracking. This means some performances will not be captured, and royalties for those are distributed through the UPA pool rather than matched to specific works. Songwriters with niche or less mainstream catalog may receive less accurate compensation than those with high-rotation radio hits.
The society's online presence and digital tools are less developed than those of major Western PROs like ASCAP or BMI. Members may need to rely more on direct communication with MCT staff rather than self-service portals.
MCT does not handle Grand Rights (theatrical performances, ballet, opera). If your work is used in a staged theatrical production, you must negotiate those licenses directly with the producer.
Territory Covered
MCT covers the territory of Thailand. It licenses music users across all 76 provinces of Thailand, including radio and television broadcasting, public performance in retail shops, hotels, restaurants, karaoke venues, live concerts, and digital platforms operating within Thai territory. Through reciprocal agreements with over 57 societies spanning 98 countries, MCT also administers international repertoire within Thailand and enables Thai members to collect royalties when their works are performed abroad.
How to Join and Membership Fees
MCT offers three types of membership:
- General Member: Composers, authors, heirs, or publishers who assign all types of royalty collection rights to MCT. General Members are eligible to receive the Unlogged Performance Allocation (UPA) and can vote and run for the Board of Directors.
- Provisional Member: Composers, authors, heirs, or publishers who assign all types of royalty collection rights to MCT but have not yet met full membership criteria. Provisional Members can receive UPA.
- Associate Member: Composers, authors, heirs, or publishers who grant authorization to MCT for only specific types of collection. Associate Members are not eligible to receive UPA, cannot vote, and cannot run for the Board committee.
To apply, visit the MCT website and complete the online membership application form. Applicants must submit proof of authorship or rights ownership. If a General Member fails to find a music usage report for three consecutive years, their status is adjusted to Provisional Member and they lose UPA eligibility.
Membership fee structures are published on the MCT website in Thai. Contact MCT directly at international@mct.in.th or (+66) 2 105 3705 for current fee information in English.
Overhead Rate
MCT's administrative overhead varies by license type. According to MCT's membership agreement, the society deducts actual expenses at a rate not exceeding 20% for General License collections and not exceeding 12% for Digital License collections. These deductions are taken from collected amounts after subtracting the collection expenses of MPC (Music Privilege Company), MCT's licensing subsidiary.
In 2023, MCT's total distributable royalties were 371,855,842 THB, representing 90.0% of total collected revenue. The remaining 10% covered MCT's administrative expenses and MPC's collection costs.
Royalty Distribution Schedule
MCT distributes royalties periodically throughout the year, with different distribution cycles for different revenue categories. Broadcasting royalties (radio and television) are distributed based on programme returns analysis. Public performance royalties from retail shops, hotels, restaurants, and karaoke venues follow separate distribution cycles. Digital royalties from platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and other streaming services are distributed in dedicated cycles.
For live performances where programme returns are not normally obtainable, MCT distributes royalties provided that details of the performed works are available and the licence fees are 10,000 THB or over. Members are encouraged to notify MCT in advance using the "Notification of Live Performance" form.
Distribution periods for each category are published in MCT's annual reports. Contact MCT directly for the current distribution calendar.
Reciprocal Agreements
MCT has reciprocal representation agreements with over 57 societies spanning 98 countries worldwide. As a CISAC member (joined January 1, 1997, CISAC Code 126) and BIEM member, MCT continues to expand its network by signing new agreements with societies every year.
Notable reciprocal agreements include those with JASRAC (Japan), KOMCA (Korea), MUST (Taiwan), MACP (Malaysia), COMPASS (Singapore), CASH (Hong Kong), FILSCAP (Philippines), VCPMC (Vietnam), ASCAP (United States), BMI (United States), PRS for Music (United Kingdom), GEMA (Germany), and SACEM (France). These agreements allow foreign creators whose music is played in Thailand to receive royalties through their home society, and Thai members to collect royalties when their works are performed abroad.
Notable Members
MCT's founder board and notable members include:
- Notapol Srichomkwan - Current Chairman of the Board (elected to third term in 2024), recording artist, music producer, composer, arranger, and bassist
- Manratana Srigranont - National Artist 1992 (Performing Arts, International Music), founder board member
- Prachin Songpao - Songwriter and musician, former director of "The Impossible Band," founder board member and former chairman (1994-1995)
- Wirat U-Tawaughn - National Artist 2017 (Performing Arts, International Music), former chairman (1996-2011)
- Thanis Sriklindee - National Artist 2016 (Performing Arts), former member of "the Carabao Band"
- Somsian Panthong - Renowned Thai music maestro, recipient of the MCT Music Awards 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
- Saran Maneechot (Ohm Saran) - Rising Star Songwriter of the Year at MCT Music Awards 2024
- Reinizra - Popular Song of the Year winner at MCT Music Awards 2024 for "Sad Flower"
- Ratthaphong Phoorisit (YoungOhm) - Top Songwriter of the Year at MCT Music Awards 2024
Comparison Table
| Feature | MCT (Thailand) | MACP (Malaysia) | FILSCAP (Philippines) | COMPASS (Singapore) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Territory | Thailand | Malaysia | Philippines | Singapore |
| Founded | 1994 | 1989 | 1977 | 1990 |
| CISAC Member | Yes (1997) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Overhead Rate | Up to 20% (general), 12% (digital) | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Join Fee | Contact MCT | Contact MACP | Contact FILSCAP | Contact COMPASS |
| Distribution Frequency | Periodic (multiple cycles per year) | Periodic | Periodic | Periodic |
Videos
Similar PROs
- MACP - Music Authors' Copyright Protection, Malaysia's performing rights society
- FILSCAP - Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the Philippines' PRO
- COMPASS - Composers and Authors Society of Singapore
- MUST - Music Copyright Society of Taiwan
Related Resources
- Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
- Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
- Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
- Blanket License - The licensing model used by MCT and other PROs
- MCT Official Website - Visit MCT for membership and licensing information
- Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital performance earnings
