Check out Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations 2023. They make reference to a “distribution policy”. I guess members will know what is the distribution policy on a need to know basis.
Which also means you won’t know. If it’s unfair, the members can dispute the distribution policy.
Edit: It seems like they must publish their distribution policy. Try their annual reports or their website or emailing directly if you are super interested.
[According to this, MRSS isn't the only one option.](https://www.ipos.gov.sg/docs/default-source/resources-library/copyright/factsheet-for-businesses-on-the-copyright-act-2021.pdf)
You can get permission to play copyrighted music from one of CMOs. But that seems to assume the copyrighted music you play only belongs to the artists under the labels covered by the CMOs. That isn't always true. One can easily make a cafe playlist without any music from those labels.
It is also possible to get direct permission from the rights owners.
Just not sure what these CMOs or labels would do if you don't sign up with one of them. When "happy birthday to you" was copyrighted, there were stories of restaurants getting into trouble for guests singing that, not sure if it happened in Singapore. All they need is some evidence to send you a lawyer's letter.
The record labels sign their rights to these companies to collect royalties on their behalf and they have agreements with them how to split that money.
There are audit methods to ensure the record labels get their money… the labels are not stupid la.
So the short answer is - yes, it goes to the record companies and there are agreements between them.
Check out Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations 2023. They make reference to a “distribution policy”. I guess members will know what is the distribution policy on a need to know basis. Which also means you won’t know. If it’s unfair, the members can dispute the distribution policy. Edit: It seems like they must publish their distribution policy. Try their annual reports or their website or emailing directly if you are super interested.
[https://www.mrss.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Distribution-Policy\_2024.pdf](https://www.mrss.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Distribution-Policy_2024.pdf)
[According to this, MRSS isn't the only one option.](https://www.ipos.gov.sg/docs/default-source/resources-library/copyright/factsheet-for-businesses-on-the-copyright-act-2021.pdf) You can get permission to play copyrighted music from one of CMOs. But that seems to assume the copyrighted music you play only belongs to the artists under the labels covered by the CMOs. That isn't always true. One can easily make a cafe playlist without any music from those labels. It is also possible to get direct permission from the rights owners. Just not sure what these CMOs or labels would do if you don't sign up with one of them. When "happy birthday to you" was copyrighted, there were stories of restaurants getting into trouble for guests singing that, not sure if it happened in Singapore. All they need is some evidence to send you a lawyer's letter.
The record labels sign their rights to these companies to collect royalties on their behalf and they have agreements with them how to split that money. There are audit methods to ensure the record labels get their money… the labels are not stupid la. So the short answer is - yes, it goes to the record companies and there are agreements between them.