SAYCE (Sociedad de Autores y Compositores del Ecuador)

SAYCE (Sociedad de Autores y Compositores del Ecuador) is the Ecuadorian society of authors and composers, administering the economic rights of more than 3,000 Ecuadorian songwriters and composers worldwide. Founded as a private nonprofit collective management organization and headquartered in Quito, SAYCE is a member of the Confederation of International Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), alongside 225 societies established in 116 countries. SAYCE administers the economic rights of its members over their musical works, collecting royalties from radio, television, streaming platforms, live performances, and commercial establishments in Ecuador. In 2025, SAYCE collected over $11 million (a record high) and distributed $8.3 million in royalties to both national members and international rightsholders. It is best suited for Ecuadorian songwriters, composers, and music publishers who need to collect performance and mechanical royalties from the use of their music in Ecuador and internationally.

How SAYCE Works

SAYCE is a collective management organization (CMO) for musical works in Ecuador. It is not a union or guild, but a private nonprofit society legally constituted under Ecuadorian law. SAYCE administers the economic rights (patrimonial rights) of authors and composers over their musical works. Through reciprocal representation agreements with other countries, SAYCE authorizes foreign societies to administer the rights of Ecuadorian authors abroad, and vice versa.

The Collection and Distribution Process

1. Collection: SAYCE collects license fees from music users in Ecuador, including radio stations, television broadcasters, streaming platforms, live performance venues, and commercial establishments (restaurants, bars, retail stores, discos).
2. Documentation: SAYCE documents the musical works in its repertoire. In 2025, SAYCE documented 117,694 works.
3. Identification: SAYCE identifies music usage through playlists from radio and TV stations, reports from streaming platforms, and data from live performance venues.
4. Distribution: SAYCE distributes royalties to its affiliated authors and composers based on actual usage. Of the amounts collected, 70% goes to creators for the effective use of their works (royalty payments), and up to 30% is retained for administrative expenses, as permitted by Ecuadorian law.

The 70/30 Split

Under Ecuadorian law, SAYCE distributes 70% of collected revenue to creators as royalty payments for the effective use of their works. Up to 30% is retained for administrative expenses. This 30% administrative cap is set by Ecuadorian regulations and is higher than the overhead rates of many international CMOs (which typically retain 10% to 15%). However, SAYCE has stated its commitment to reducing administrative costs and increasing the proportion distributed to creators.

Reciprocal Representation Agreements

SAYCE has signed reciprocal representation agreements with numerous international societies, including:

• ZAIKS (Poland)
• STIM (Sweden)
• MSG (Turkey)
• OSA (Czech Republic)
• PRS (United Kingdom)
• SUISA (Switzerland)
• SACM (Mexico)
• SADAIC (Argentina)
• SAYCO (Colombia)

Through these agreements and its CISAC membership, SAYCE represents over 9 million creators worldwide through 225 societies in 116 countries. This means SAYCE collects royalties for foreign authors whose music is played in Ecuador, and foreign societies collect royalties for Ecuadorian authors whose music is played abroad.

Tariff Regulation

SAYCE's tariffs are regulated by the Ecuadorian government. In December 2024, the Servicio Nacional de Derechos Intelectuales (SENADI) approved updated tariffs for SAYCE. Under Article 251 of the COESCCI (Codigo Organico de la Economia Social de los Conocimientos, Creatividad e Innovacion), collective management organizations must establish reasonable, equitable, and proportional tariffs for the use of works in their repertoires. These tariffs are subject to approval by SENADI and are published in the Registro Oficial and in a national newspaper. SAYCE's approved tariffs took effect on December 31, 2024, and were published in Registro Oficial Suplemento No. 730 on January 27, 2025.

Membership and Fees

Who Can Join

SAYCE is open to Ecuadorian authors and composers of musical works. This includes songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers who are Ecuadorian nationals or who have significant ties to Ecuador. International authors are represented through SAYCE's reciprocal agreements with their home country's CMO.

Cost

Membership in SAYCE is free. The organization is funded through the administrative portion (up to 30%) of collected royalties, as permitted by Ecuadorian law. There are no joining fees or annual dues.

How to Register

1. Visit sayce.com.ec and complete the membership application.
2. Submit documentation of your identity and musical works.
3. Register each musical work with title, writer splits, and publisher information.
4. SAYCE adds your works to its repertoire database.
5. Royalties are distributed based on actual usage of your works in Ecuador and internationally.

Overhead Rate

SAYCE's overhead rate is up to 30% of collected revenue, as permitted by Ecuadorian law (Article 251 of the COESCCI). This means 70% of collected revenue is distributed to creators as royalty payments, and up to 30% is retained for administrative expenses. This is higher than the overhead rates of most international CMOs. For comparison:

The 30% cap is set by Ecuadorian law, not by SAYCE unilaterally. The organization has stated its commitment to improving efficiency and increasing the proportion distributed to creators over time.

Royalty Distribution Schedule

SAYCE distributes royalties to its members on a periodic basis. The exact distribution frequency is not prominently published on its website, but based on industry standards for Latin American CMOs, distributions typically occur quarterly or semi-annually. Members should contact SAYCE directly for the current distribution schedule.

Notable Members and Leadership

SAYCE represents over 3,000 Ecuadorian authors and composers. Notable figures associated with SAYCE include:

• Juan Fernando Velasco: One of the most emblematic voices of Spanish-language pop and the most influential Ecuadorian artist of the last few decades. Twice nominated for the Latin GRAMMY, winner of an Emmy, and multiple gold and platinum records. He is currently the president of SAYCE. His eighth album, Julio Eterno, pays tribute to Julio Jaramillo through artificial intelligence, fusing technology and tradition.
• David Checa: A professional with approximately 20 years in the music industry. He has led organizations including SOPROFON (Sociedad de Productores de Fonogramas del Ecuador), SAYCE, Sony Music Publishing Colombia, and currently serves as Global Director of ONE Publishing. He was President of ACODEM (Asociacion Colombiana de Editores Musicales) and a board member of Latinautor.
• Mar Rendon: A 22-year-old Ecuadorian pop rock singer-songwriter. Winner for two consecutive years as Best Rock Artist at the Heat Awards (2024 and 2025). Also winner of the SAYCE Awards.

PRO Comparison Table

Real-World Example

An Ecuadorian songwriter has written 50 songs over the past 10 years, several of which have been recorded by popular Ecuadorian and Latin American artists. These songs receive regular airplay on Ecuadorian radio stations like Radio La Luna and Radio Caracol, are streamed on Spotify and Apple Music, and are performed live at concerts and festivals in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca.

The songwriter registers with SAYCE and submits their catalog of 50 songs, listing themselves as the writer and their publisher (if applicable) with the appropriate splits. SAYCE adds these works to its repertoire database.

When the songwriter's songs are played on Ecuadorian radio, streamed on digital platforms, or performed at licensed venues, SAYCE collects the license fees from those users. SAYCE identifies the usage through playlists and reports, matches the usage to the songwriter's registered works, and distributes royalties. The songwriter receives 70% of the collected amount for their works, with the remaining up to 30% retained for administrative expenses.

For the songwriter's songs played in Argentina, Colombia, or Mexico, SAYCE's reciprocal agreements with SADAIC, SAYCO, and SACM ensure that those societies collect royalties on the songwriter's behalf and transfer them to SAYCE, which then distributes to the songwriter.

The songwriter can track their royalties through SAYCE's member portal and receives payments according to SAYCE's distribution schedule. If they are also a recording artist, they may separately register with a neighboring rights organization to collect performer royalties.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are an Ecuadorian songwriter or composer, SAYCE is your primary collective management organization for performance and mechanical royalties. Without SAYCE membership, you are not collecting royalties for the use of your music in Ecuador, and you are missing out on international royalties that SAYCE collects through its reciprocal agreements.

Registration is free, and SAYCE's CISAC membership connects you to a network of 225 societies in 116 countries. This means your music is represented globally without you needing to join each foreign society individually.

For Ecuadorian artists releasing music internationally, SAYCE works alongside your distribution service (like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby) and your publishing administrator (if you have one). Your distributor handles the recording royalties (master), SAYCE handles the composition royalties (performance and mechanical), and your publishing administrator (if you have one) handles international mechanical and sync licensing.

If you are a non-Ecuadorian artist whose music is played in Ecuador, your royalties are collected by SAYCE and transferred to your home country's CMO through reciprocal agreements. You do not need to join SAYCE directly. Ensure you are registered with your home country's CMO (ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SACEM, etc.) so they can collect from SAYCE on your behalf.

For a complete guide to registering your music with rights organizations, read our guide on how to register music with a PRO. For a comparison of all Latin American PROs, read our PRO comparison guide. Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your streaming earnings.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• High overhead rate: SAYCE retains up to 30% of collected revenue for administrative expenses, which is higher than most international CMOs. This means you receive 70% of collected royalties rather than the 85% to 90% typical of US or European societies.
• Limited transparency on distribution frequency: SAYCE does not prominently publish its distribution schedule on its website. Members should contact SAYCE directly for distribution dates.
• Smaller market: Ecuador's music market is smaller than those of Mexico, Brazil, or Argentina, which means royalty collections are correspondingly smaller. International royalties through reciprocal agreements supplement domestic collections.
• Government-regulated tariffs: SAYCE's tariffs are subject to approval by SENADI, which can delay tariff updates and limit SAYCE's ability to adjust to market changes.
• Documentation burden: Members must actively document their works with SAYCE. In 2025, SAYCE documented 117,694 works. If your works are not registered, you will not receive royalties for their use.
• Spanish language: SAYCE's website and documentation are primarily in Spanish. Non-Spanish speakers may need assistance with registration and communication.
• Limited digital tools: SAYCE's online member portal may not be as advanced as those of larger CMOs like ASCAP, BMI, or SACEM. Members should manage expectations regarding online tools and reporting.
• Recent leadership changes: With Juan Fernando Velasco as president and David Checa in leadership roles, SAYCE is undergoing modernization. Processes and tools may continue to evolve.

Compare SAYCE with Other Latin American PROs

• SADAIC - Argentine society of authors and composers
• SAYCO - Colombian society of authors and composers
• SACM - Mexican society of authors and composers
• ECAD - Brazilian central collection and distribution office
• Full PRO Directory - Browse all performing rights organizations

Related Resources

• PRO Directory - Browse performing rights organizations worldwide
• PRO Comparison Guide - Compare US and international PROs
• Best Royalty Collection Services for Independent Artists - Compare collection options
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Estimate your streaming earnings
• SAYCE Official Website - Register and manage your account
• SAYCE Tariff Information - Current license tariffs
• SAYCE FAQ - Frequently asked questions