Ukrainian Agency of Copyright and Related Rights (UACRR)

UACRR (Ukrainian Agency of Copyright and Related Rights) is Ukraine's collective management organization for copyright and related rights, based in Kyiv. It administers public performance rights, mechanical recording and reproduction rights, and dramatic rights for musical and theatrical works. UACRR represents over 4,000 Ukrainian authors and more than 2.5 million foreign authors through reciprocal agreements with 50 collective management organizations across 90 contracts worldwide.

How UACRR Works

UACRR issues licenses to radio stations, television networks, concert venues, restaurants, retail stores, cinemas, theaters, and any business that uses music or dramatic works publicly in Ukraine. License fees are collected and distributed to rights holders based on usage data from broadcast logs, performance reports, and venue reporting.

UACRR was originally created in 2000 as a state enterprise on the basis of the former State Agency of Copyright and Related Rights (SACRR), which was established in 1992 after Ukraine's independence. In 2015, Ukrainian authors founded NGO-UACRR, a non-governmental organization managed solely by creators themselves, marking a milestone reform in Ukraine's collective management system. Ukraine adopted a new law on collective management in 2015, bringing the country's framework closer to international standards.

UACRR became a CISAC member in 2000 and achieved ordinary member status in 2005. It is the only society in Ukraine with musical and dramatic repertoire that is a CISAC member. In 2006, UACRR signed an ISWC agreement with CISAC, enabling the agency to assign international standard codes to works by Ukrainian authors and register them in the IPI (Interested Party Information) database used by all CISAC member societies for royalty calculation and distribution.

Ukraine joined the Berne Convention in May 1995. The Law on Copyright and Related Rights was enacted by the Ukrainian Parliament in December 1993. UACRR administers rights including public performance, broadcasting, mechanical reproduction, publication of musical works, and dramatic works (both grand rights and small rights).

UACRR has concluded reciprocal representation contracts with collective management organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and many other countries. The agency's international department actively negotiates new agreements to expand protection for Ukrainian and foreign copyright holders.

Real-World Example

A Ukrainian composer joins UACRR and registers 30 songs. A Kyiv radio station plays 12 of those songs in regular rotation, a streaming service reports 300,000 streams, and three restaurants hold UACRR licenses covering background music. UACRR collects royalties from all three sources.

The composer receives distributions based on radio airplay logs and streaming usage data. If the same songs are played on radio in Poland, UACRR's reciprocal agreement with ZAiKS means ZAiKS collects those royalties and remits them to UACRR, which distributes them to the composer in the next distribution cycle.

A Ukrainian composer with 30 songs receiving regular airplay on Ukrainian radio and moderate streaming activity might earn anywhere from 15,000 to 200,000 UAH or more annually, depending on usage scale. Ukraine's royalty collection levels are lower than Western European PROs due to market size and economic conditions, but registration ensures you receive your share of collected funds.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a Ukrainian songwriter, composer, or publisher, UACRR is the primary organization for collecting copyright royalties in Ukraine. It is the only CISAC-recognized collective management organization in Ukraine with musical and dramatic repertoire. Membership is open to creators and rights holders.

Register every composition with UACRR before commercial release. Unregistered works earn zero royalties, even if they receive extensive radio airplay or streaming activity in Ukraine. Submit accurate metadata including ISRC codes, ISWC numbers, and split sheets to ensure proper matching and payment.

UACRR administers both performing rights and mechanical reproduction rights, unlike some countries where these are split between separate organizations. This simplifies administration for Ukrainian creators. You can register your works for both categories through a single organization.

If your music is played internationally, UACRR's 90 reciprocal agreements with foreign societies mean those royalties flow back to you. The agency represents over 2.5 million foreign authors in Ukraine and protects Ukrainian authors abroad. Ensure your works are registered with ISWC codes so international performances are tracked.

UACRR's history reflects Ukraine's broader copyright evolution. The 2015 collective management law and the founding of NGO-UACRR by creators themselves marked significant reforms. Stay informed about policy changes, especially regarding digital licensing and online royalty collection, as UACRR continues developing its systems.

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
• Blanket License - The licensing model used by UACRR
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• UACRR Official Website - Visit UACRR for membership and licensing information
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings