OSA (Ochranný svaz autorský)

OSA (Ochranny svaz autorsky) is a Czech collective management organization founded in 1919 that administers the economic copyrights of composers, lyricists, music publishers, and their heirs for musical works. Based in Prague, it licenses public performance, broadcasting, and other uses of music in the Czech Republic and distributes royalties to rights holders based on actual usage data.

How OSA Works

OSA was established in 1919 by a group of Czech composers and publishers including Karel Hasler and Rudolf Piskacek. One of the first directors was a son of composer Antonin Dvorak. OSA is a founding member of CISAC (1926) and BIEM (1929), making it one of the oldest collective management organizations in the world.

OSA represents over 12,000 domestic rights holders and manages rights for approximately 5 million international rights holders through reciprocal agreements with 100 authors' societies worldwide. The organization does not represent performers (singers, musicians) of compositions, only the authors and publishers of the underlying musical works.

OSA collects royalties from:

• Radio broadcasts (189 radio stations reported to OSA in 2023)
• Television broadcasts (46 TV stations reported to OSA in 2023)
• Public performances including concerts, background music in venues, and cinemas
• Internet and mobile platforms for digital transmission of music
• Cable retransmission of broadcasts
• Private copying levies
• Physical media production and distribution
• Synchronization licensing for film and advertising
• Agency activities based on individual commissions from rights holders

OSA is the only collecting society in the world that distributes royalties to represented authors on a quarterly basis: March, June, September, and December. The organization operates a Partnership Grant Programme that supports represented artists, seeks out new talent, and funds charitable projects through initiatives like OSA Live, OSA Helps, OSA Talent, and OSA Premiere.

In 2024, OSA collected CZK 1,870,674,000 (approximately CZK 1.87 billion) in total revenues, a 9.02% increase from 2023. Of this, CZK 1,579,753,000 was collected for OSA-represented rights holders, with CZK 1,533 billion in rights value managed. OSA distributed CZK 1,180 billion to over 212,000 authors and publishers worldwide. The organization maintained a 12% overhead rate, meaning 88 CZK of every 100 CZK collected goes directly to rights holders. This places OSA among the most efficiently managed collective management organizations for music authors in Europe.

OSA has been active in EU copyright policy, publicly opposing the third draft of the GPAI Code of Practice in March 2025, arguing it undermines the objectives of the AI Act and contravenes EU law regarding authors' rights.

Real-World Example

A Czech composer writes music for a television series that airs on Czech TV (one of the 46 TV stations reporting to OSA). The series runs for 10 episodes, each containing 30 minutes of the composer's music. Czech TV pays OSA a blanket license fee for the right to broadcast musical works.

OSA processes the TV cue sheets and matches the usage to the composer's registered works. If the total royalty pool for Czech TV broadcasts in a given quarter is CZK 50 million, and the composer's music accounts for 0.1% of all reported usage, the composer receives approximately CZK 50,000 for that quarter (before publisher share deductions and the 12% overhead).

If the same series is broadcast in Germany, OSA's reciprocal agreement with GEMA means GEMA collects those royalties and remits them to OSA, which distributes them to the composer in the next quarterly distribution. The composer receives domestic royalties within 3 months and international royalties within 6 to 12 months of the actual broadcast.

With OSA's 88% distribution rate, if CZK 100,000 in royalties is collected for the composer's works, CZK 88,000 is paid to the writer and publisher (split according to registered shares) and CZK 12,000 covers administrative costs.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a Czech-based composer, lyricist, or music publisher, OSA is the primary organization that collects royalties when your music is performed publicly, broadcast, streamed, or reproduced in the Czech Republic. Without OSA membership, you earn zero royalties from radio play, television use, public performance, or digital transmission of your compositions.

Join OSA and register every composition before it is publicly released. OSA's quarterly distribution schedule means you receive royalties faster than with most other societies (which typically distribute semi-annually). Submit accurate metadata including ISWC numbers and split sheets so that OSA's matching system correctly attributes usage.

OSA's 12% overhead rate is among the lowest in Europe. For every 100 CZK collected, you receive 88 CZK. Compare this to societies with 15 to 20% overhead rates, where you would receive only 80 to 85 CZK.

If your music is performed internationally, OSA's 100 reciprocal agreements with foreign societies ensure those royalties flow back to you. You can also submit cue sheets for film and television works to ensure performances are tracked across all reporting stations.

OSA does not represent performers (singers, session musicians). If you are a performer, you need to register separately with INTERGRAM, the Czech neighboring rights society, to collect performer royalties from broadcast and public performance of sound recordings.

PRO Comparison Table

Territory Covered

OSA collects performing rights royalties exclusively within the Czech Republic. The organization licenses music users operating inside Czech borders. This includes 189 radio stations, 46 TV stations, concert venues, cinemas, restaurants, retail stores, internet platforms, and any business playing music publicly in the Czech Republic.

Since 2018, OSA has served as a single point of contact for all collective management organizations in the Czech Republic. A business needing a license to play music and show TV content needs only one contract from OSA.

For royalties generated outside the Czech Republic, OSA relies on its 135 reciprocal and unilateral agreements with 84 foreign collective management organizations. Major partners include GEMA (Germany), SACEM (France), PRS for Music (UK), ASCAP and BMI (US), SIAE (Italy), and GESAC member societies.

How to Join OSA

OSA offers two levels of engagement: rights holder (represented author) and full member.

Step 1: Register as a Rights Holder

1. Fill in the application form on the OSA website (osa.cz/en/authors-and-publishers).
2. OSA sends you a draft contract by email.
3. Review and approve the contract terms.
4. Sign the contract and return it to OSA.
5. Register your works in the INFOSA system or on paper forms.
6. OSA begins collecting royalties for your registered works.

There is no minimum earning requirement to register as a rights holder. Any copyright holder can be represented by OSA.

Step 2: Apply for Full Membership

Full membership grants voting rights at the annual assembly, eligibility for the supervisory board, and participation in OSA governance. Requirements:

1. Contracting relationship: Must have been a represented rights holder with OSA for at least 5 years.
2. Minimum royalties for composers and lyricists: Either CZK 80,000 per year for each of the last 4 consecutive years, or CZK 1,000,000 in aggregate over the last 5 years.
3. Reduced threshold for classical music: The minimum royalty amounts are reduced by half for composers of classical music and their heirs.
4. Minimum royalties for publishers: Double the amounts required for composers.
5. Annual membership fee: CZK 1,000 per year.
6. OSA notifies you by letter when you meet the requirements. Submit a written membership application to the board.

Required Documents

• Completed application form (available on osa.cz)
• Proof of authorship or publishing rights
• For publishers: publishing contracts and company registration documents

Membership Fees and Overhead Rate

Fees

• Rights holder registration: Free. No fee to register works and begin collecting royalties.
• Full membership fee: CZK 1,000 per year (approximately 40 EUR). Payable annually by full members only.
• No joining fee: There is no one-time joining fee.

Overhead Rate

OSA maintains a 12% overhead rate. For every 100 CZK collected, 88 CZK goes directly to rights holders and 12 CZK covers administrative costs. This places OSA among the most efficiently managed collective management organizations for music authors in Europe.

OSA is also authorized to deduct up to 10% from distributed royalties for cultural, social, and educational purposes. This deduction does not apply to concert royalties. The cultural and social fund supports the Partnership Grant Programme, which funds approximately 450 music projects annually through initiatives including OSA Live, OSA Helps, OSA Talent, and OSA Premiere.

Royalty Distribution Schedule

OSA distributes royalties monthly, 12 times per year. This is more frequent than most European PROs, which typically distribute quarterly (4 times per year).

Payment Threshold

You must have at least CZK 500 in your royalty account on the payday to receive a distribution. If your balance is below CZK 500, the amount carries over to the next month.

Distribution Categories

OSA processes and distributes royalties from multiple sources each month:

• Radio broadcasts (189 stations reporting)
• Television broadcasts (46 stations reporting)
• Public performances (concerts, background music, cinemas)
• Internet and mobile platforms
• Cable retransmission
• Private copying levies
• Physical media production
• Synchronization licensing
• International collections from reciprocal agreements

Domestic royalties are typically distributed within 3 months of the actual usage. International royalties from reciprocal agreements are distributed within 6 to 12 months, depending on when foreign societies remit to OSA.

Reciprocal Agreements with Foreign Societies

As of December 31, 2025, OSA had 135 reciprocal or unilateral agreements with 84 foreign collective management organizations worldwide. These agreements cover performing rights and mechanical rights.

Major reciprocal partners include:

• GEMA (Germany): Major European partner
• SACEM (France): Major European partner
• PRS for Music (UK): Major European partner
• SIAE (Italy): European partner
• ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC (US): Major international partners (unilateral agreements for OSA repertoire in the US)
• JASRAC (Japan): Asian partner
• STIM (Sweden): Nordic partner
• TONO (Norway): Nordic partner
• ZAIKS (Poland): Central European partner
• SUISA (Switzerland): European partner

OSA is a founding member of CISAC (1926) and BIEM (1929). Since 2011, OSA has held the highest degree of CISAC evaluation, fulfilling the Professional Rules binding on all CISAC member societies. OSA is also part of the Madrid Group, a working group of collective management organization representatives that prepares positions on copyright issues.

OSA also collects royalties on behalf of other Czech collective management organizations (DILIA, Intergram, OAZA, OOA-S) and transfers their shares according to a defined formula.

Notable Members

OSA's membership includes prominent Czech composers, lyricists, and music publishers. As of December 2024, OSA had 611 full members (377 popular music composers, 54 classical music composers, 99 songwriters, 50 heirs, and 31 publishers).

• Karel Hasler (1879 to 1941): Composer, actor, and filmmaker. Co-founded OSA in 1919. Known for popular Czech songs including "Cechy krasne, Cechy moje." Arrested by the Gestapo in 1941 and died in Mauthausen concentration camp.
• Rudolf Piskacek (1884 to 1941): Composer and violinist. Co-founded OSA in 1919. Known for operettas and popular songs.
• Martin Kratochvil (born 1946): Jazz pianist and composer. Founder of Jazz Q. Member of OSA's Distribution Committee. Known for blending jazz with Czech folk traditions.
• Michael Prostejovsky (born 1947): Lyricist and music journalist. Member of OSA's Distribution Committee. Wrote lyrics for numerous Czech pop hits.
• Dan Barta (born 1969): Singer and songwriter. Member of OSA's Economic Committee. Multiple Czech Music Academy Award winner. Known for work with Illustratus Sphere and solo career.
• Jiri Paulu (ProVox Music Publishing): Music publisher. Member of OSA's Economic Committee. ProVox Music Publishing is one of the leading Czech music publishers.
• Frantisek Taborsky (Universal Music Publishing): Music publisher. Member of OSA's Economic Committee. Represents Universal Music Publishing's interests in the Czech Republic.
• Jolana Zemanova (Universal Music Publishing): Music publisher. Member of OSA's Economic Committee.
• Jirina Petrova (Schubert Music Publishing): Music publisher. Member of OSA's Distribution Committee.

Similar PROs

• GEMA - Germany's performing rights organization
• SACEM - France's performing rights organization
• PRS for Music - United Kingdom's performing rights organization
• ZAIKS - Poland's collective management organization
• SUISA - Switzerland's performing rights organization
• Full PRO Directory - Browse all performing rights organizations

Related Resources

• Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
• Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
• Mechanical Royalties - How mechanical royalties differ from performance royalties
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• OSA Official Website - Visit OSA for membership and licensing information
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings