Slovenský ochranný zväz autorský

What Slovenský ochranný zväz autorský does

Slovenský ochranný zväz autorský (SOZA) is a Slovak non-profit civic association founded in 1922 and authorized by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic to perform collective rights management for musical works within the territory of Slovakia. Operating as the statutory monopoly CMO for music in Slovakia, SOZA collects licensing royalties from music users across five core streams — public performance (events, concerts, festivals, discotheques), broadcasting (radio/TV), online services (streaming, mobile operators), private copying levies (blank media and device importers), and mechanical reproduction rights — and distributes the proceeds to represented rights holders. It represents 3,620 domestic rights holders (authors, publishers, heirs) as of 31 December 2024 and, through reciprocal agreements with 70 partner societies across 123 countries, extends representation to over 5 million international authors.

SOZA's core technology platform consists of two web portals: the ISpA (Information System for Authors) portal at ispa.soza.sk, which enables authors to register musical works, view royalty statements, and manage accounts, and the Klientske konto (Client Account) portal at moja.soza.sk, which enables music users to apply for licenses, submit playlists, and confirm licensing agreements. The organization also operates a field inspector network to monitor music usage compliance across Slovakia and a Social and Cultural Fund (SKF) that has supported over 1,600 cultural projects. SOZA holds memberships in CISAC (since 1970), BIEM (since 1973), and GESAC (since 2005), positioning it within the global CMO infrastructure.

Revenue is generated exclusively through licensing royalties across the five streams described, with administrative membership fees (€30 for authors, €50 for publishers, €15 for heirs, all VAT-inclusive) applied at onboarding. Distribution follows dedicated licensing departments segmented by user type (events, radio/TV, online, device import, cinema, theater, DJ, film, jukebox, cable retransmission). Membership decisions are made by the Supervisory Board within 90 days of application. SOZA does not disclose revenue and operates under a member-elected governance structure (General Assembly, Management Board, Supervisory Board, Arbitration Committee, Classification Committee), with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external equity ownership. The current Management Board is chaired by Ľubomír Burgr, with Richard Jajcay and Tomáš Mikš as members.

Name

Slovenský ochranný zväz autorský

Legal name

Slovenský ochranný zväz autorský pre práva k hudobným dielam

Website

https://soza.sk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SOZA is Slovakia's authorized non-profit collective rights management organization, collecting licensing royalties from music users and distributing them to 3,620 domestic rights holders and 5+ million international authors through reciprocal agreements with 70 partner societies in 123 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Collective Music Rights Management

NAICS

Music Publishers (512230), Music Publishers (51223)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Patent Owners & Lessors (6794)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAIAKAA

Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) & Public Performance Licensing

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Music & Audio (Recording, Publishing, Streaming)/Music Rights & Royalty Services (PROs, Collection, Royalty Accounting)

SECONDARYMPAIABAE

Performance Rights Administration (PRO Affiliation, Cue Sheet/Setlist Processing)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Music & Audio (Recording, Publishing, Streaming)/Music Publishing (Songwriting, Rights Administration, Licensing)

SECONDARYMPAIAKAB

Mechanical Rights Collection & Licensing (MROs/CMOs)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Music & Audio (Recording, Publishing, Streaming)/Music Rights & Royalty Services (PROs, Collection, Royalty Accounting)

SECONDARYMPAIAKAI

Global Rights Representation & Sub-Publishing/Reciprocal Collection Services

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Music & Audio (Recording, Publishing, Streaming)/Music Rights & Royalty Services (PROs, Collection, Royalty Accounting)

SECONDARYMPAIAKAC

Neighboring Rights Collection (Sound Recording Performance Rights)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Music & Audio (Recording, Publishing, Streaming)/Music Rights & Royalty Services (PROs, Collection, Royalty Accounting)

SECONDARYMPABANAF

Music & Audio Rights for Broadcast (Sync/Master/Library)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Broadcast Content Sales & Licensing (Formats, Archives)

Keywords

• Collective rights management
• Music copyright licensing
• Royalty collection services
• Performing rights organization
• Music publishing administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Bratislava

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Performance Licensing: SOZA grants licenses for public performance of musical works at events, concerts, festivals, balls, discotheques, and other musical performances. Fees are calculated based on event type and attendance.
2. Broadcasting Licensing: Licensing fees collected from radio and television broadcasters for the public communication of musical works.
3. Online Services Licensing: Royalties collected from internet and mobile network operators for the public availability of musical works online.
4. Private Copying Levy: Compensation collected from manufacturers and importers of blank recording media and technical devices that enable copying of works, as mandated by copyright law for private copying.
5. Mechanical Reproduction Rights: Licensing for the production of audio, audiovisual, and multimedia recordings of musical works.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SOZA is Slovakia's authorized collective rights management organization for musical works. It licenses the public use of music (live events, radio/TV broadcasting, online streaming, mechanical reproduction, and private copying) and collects royalties from music users, then distributes them to represented authors, publishers, and heirs. Authors and publishers join SOZA through representation agreements and gain access to international rights enforcement via reciprocal agreements with 70 partner societies in 123 countries.

Product overview

SOZA operates as a collective rights management organization providing a comprehensive platform for music copyright protection. The core offering consists of licensing services across multiple channels (public events, radio/TV, online, and device import), supported by the ISpA author portal for work registration and the client account portal for music users. The Social and Cultural Fund provides additional support to members. The organization manages international agreements with 70 partner societies in 123 countries and represents approximately 3,620 domestic rights holders and over 5 million international rights holders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sociálny a kultúrny fond SOZA (SKF): Social and Cultural Fund of SOZA, a standard redistributive fund providing financial support for cultural projects of SOZA members and social assistance to authors in need.

Products and services

• Public Event Licensing License granting service for organizing public events with music, including concerts, festivals, balls, and discotheques. Fees are calculated based on event type and attendance. Targeted at event organizers and venue operators in Slovakia.
• Radio and TV Licensing Licensing service covering public communication of musical works via radio and television broadcasters and via radio/TV sets and technical devices in commercial premises. Targeted at broadcasters and commercial establishments in Slovakia.
• Online Licensing Licensing service for internet and mobile network music usage, including streaming, downloading, and web radio. Targeted at online platforms, streaming services, and mobile network operators making musical works available to the public.
• Device Import/Production Licensing and Private Copying Remuneration Licensing and private copying remuneration services for manufacturers and importers of blank recording media and technical devices that enable copying of works, as mandated by copyright law for private copying. Targeted at device manufacturers and importers.
• Copyright Management and Royalty Distribution Core collective rights management service including registration of musical works, collection of royalties from music users across multiple channels, and distribution to represented authors, publishers, and heirs. Targeted at Slovak and international music rights holders.
• ISpA (Informačný systém pre autorov) Author Portal Standalone online portal enabling authors to register musical works, view royalty distributions, manage personal data, and communicate with SOZA electronically. Targeted at represented authors, publishers, and heirs.
• Klientske konto (Client Account) Standalone online portal for music users to apply for licenses, submit playlists, confirm licensing contracts, and manage their account. Targeted at music users (event organizers, broadcasters, online services, etc.).
• Sociálny a kultúrny fond SOZA (SKF) — Social and Cultural Fund Standard redistributive fund providing financial support for cultural projects of SOZA members and social assistance to authors in need; has funded 1,600+ cultural projects. Targeted at SOZA members seeking cultural-project grants or social support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ years of continuous operation since 1922
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• GESAC (European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005SOZA is a member of GESAC, which brings together authors' societies from EU countries, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, collectively representing over 1 million creators in music, graphic art, literature, theatre, drama, and audiovisual production.
• CISAC (International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOZA is a full member of CISAC, which brings together 232 societies from 111 countries representing over 54 million authors in music, drama, literature, audiovisual, and visual arts. SOZA joined CISAC in 1970.
• BIEM (Bureau International des Sociétés Gérant les Droits d'Enregistrement et de Reproduction Mécanique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOZA is a member of BIEM, an international organization focusing on the protection of mechanical rights - rights of mechanical recording and reproduction of musical works. SOZA joined BIEM in 1970.
• OSA (Czech Republic)coreTechnology or IntegrationReciprocal representation agreement for protection of musical works between Slovakia and Czech Republic.
• GEMA (Germany)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational agreement for mutual representation of musical work rights between Slovakia and Germany.
• SACEM (France, Luxembourg)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational agreement for mutual representation of musical work rights between Slovakia and France/Luxembourg.
• PRS for Music (UK, Bahamas, Cyprus, Malta)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational agreement for mutual representation of musical work rights between Slovakia and UK territories.
• JASRAC (Japan)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational agreement for mutual representation of musical work rights between Slovakia and Japan.
• ASCAP, BMI, AMRA, SESAC, HARRY FOX AGENCY (USA)coreTechnology or IntegrationMultiple international agreements with US collective rights management organizations for mutual representation of musical work rights.
• LITA, SLOVGRAM, SAPA (Slovakia - Joint Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOZA collaborates with LITA, SLOVGRAM, and SAPA under agreements for joint collective management of private copying remuneration, authorized by the Ministry of Culture.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers): US PRO with reciprocal agreement with SOZA. Performs public performance licensing for musical works and is part of the same CISAC ecosystem as SOZA.
• GEMA (Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte): Germany's PRO and mechanical rights organization with reciprocal representation agreement with SOZA. Comparable scope (public performance, broadcasting, online, mechanical) and CISAC/BIEM membership.
• PRS for Music: UK PRO with reciprocal agreement covering UK, Bahamas, Cyprus, and Malta. Performs the same collective licensing functions for musical works across public performance, broadcast, and online.
• SACEM (Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique): France's PRO covering musical works, with reciprocal agreement covering France and Luxembourg. Direct functional peer operating under the same CISAC/BIEM framework.
• SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori): Italy's PRO with comparable multi-stream licensing (public performance, reproduction, online). Functions within the same CISAC/BIEM framework as SOZA.
• JASRAC (Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers): Japan's PRO with bilateral reciprocal agreement with SOZA. Comparable full-scope music rights administration including public performance, broadcast, and mechanical licensing.
• BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.): US PRO with reciprocal agreement with SOZA. Direct functional peer administering public performance rights on behalf of songwriters, composers, and publishers.
• ZAiKS (Stowarzyszenie Autorów ZAiKS): Poland's PRO and a key regional peer for SOZA given geographic proximity and overlapping V4 cultural ecosystem. Administers the same core rights for musical works.
• OSA - Ochranný svaz autorský pro práva k dílům hudebním: Czech collective rights management organization for musical works. Direct peer with reciprocal representation agreement with SOZA covering Slovakia–Czech Republic rights flow.
• SGAE (Sociedad General de Autores y Editores): Spain's PRO managing rights of authors, composers and publishers for musical works. Direct functional peer operating under the same European collective management framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsM4txDGMDZlEgg6XsbwFxQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/soza.oks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soza-sk
• Instagraminstagram.com/soza.sk/?hl=sk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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