A
copyright collective (also known as a
copyright collecting agency,
licensing agency or
copyright collecting society) is a body created by
copyright law or private agreement which engages in
collective rights management. Collecting societies have the authority to
license copyrighted works and collect royalties as part of
compulsory licensing or individual licences negotiated on behalf of its members. Collecting societies collect royalty payments from users of copyrighted works and distribute royalties to copyright owners.