A Collective Management Organization (CMO) in Vietnam acts as a middleman that collects and distributes music royalties on behalf of songwriters, artists, and record labels.

Disclaimer: This Article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace legal advice for specific situations.

TL;DR

In the modern music industry, it is practically impossible for a songwriter to personally visit every cafe, television station, or digital platform to collect royalties whenever their song is played. To bridge this gap, Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) exist to streamline the licensing process and ensure creators are fairly compensated.

This article explores the legal foundation of CMOs in Vietnam, their role within the local music ecosystem, and how they compare to international models.

Legal foundation of CMOs in Vietnam

In Vietnam, CMOs operate under the Intellectual Property Law; they are voluntary, self-funded, non-profit organizations operating under the state management of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST).

Crucially, the Law Amending and Supplementing a number of Articles of the Intellectual Property Law 2025, passed on December 10, 2025, and effective April 1, 2026, brings Vietnam's legal framework closer to international standard: The law officially changes the Vietnamese term from "Tổ chức đại diện tập thể" (collective representative organization) to "Tổ chức quản lý tập thể" (collective management organization – CMO). This aligns perfectly with global terminology, emphasizing their core function: managing rights (collecting, licensing, distributing) rather than merely representing them.

During the drafting of the 2025 Law, there were controversial proposals to force CMOs to obtain "state certifications" and to allow CMOs to license works even without authorization from the authors. The National Assembly completely rejected these proposals in the final law. This vital decision protects the civil rights of creators and maintains the voluntary nature of CMOs, matching the democratic approach seen in U.S. Performing Right Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP and BMI.

According to Vietnamese law, a CMO is characterized by the following traits:

Voluntary and non-profit: CMOs are non-governmental, non-profit organizations established by the mutual agreement of authors, copyright owners, or related rights owners.
State oversight: They operate under the strict state management of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Core functions: A CMO is authorized to manage, negotiate, and grant licenses to music users; collect and distribute royalties to its members; and legally protect its members' rights by organizing mediations or initiating lawsuits against copyright infringement.

It is important to note that CMOs are not state agencies. Many mistakenly believe CMOs can grant copyright registration certificates, but in Vietnam, this authority belongs solely to the Copyright Office of Vietnam (COV).

Why does this concept exist?

The music industry is global and massive. It is physically impossible for an independent songwriter in the U.S. to track how many times their song is played in a retail store in Ho Chi Minh City. Conversely, a Vietnamese restaurant owner cannot individually track down and negotiate with thousands of publishers worldwide just to play a background playlist.

CMOs exist to solve this logistical challenge. By offering "blanket licenses", they make it easy for businesses to legally use vast catalogs of music while ensuring that creators are fairly compensated for their hard work. Furthermore, CMOs operate on a global network of reciprocal agreements. This means VCPMC doesn't just represent Vietnamese writers; through its membership in CISAC, it represents and collects royalties for international writers (like ASCAP or PRS members) when their music is played in Vietnam, and vice versa.

Key players in the Vietnam music ecosystem

In the music sector, several key Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) operate in Vietnam. They are categorized based on the specific rights they administer:

1. Organizations Administering Author's Rights (Musical Compositions)

Vietnam Center for Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC): Administers author's rights specifically for musical compositions.
Vietnam Reproduction Rights Organization (VIETRRO): Administers reproduction rights (a subset of author's rights) for various types of works existing in published formats, as prescribed by law.

2. Organizations Administering Related Rights (Sound Recordings)

Recording Industry Association of Vietnam (RIAV): Administers related rights specifically for sound recordings (the master rights) on behalf of record producers.

In summary, these organizations play a vital role in bridging the gap between rights holders and music users, ensuring the smooth operation of the music exploitation ecosystem.

Vietnam's CMOs vs international counterparts

While the fundamental mission of protecting creators remains the same globally, Vietnam's CMO model has distinct differences when compared to international organizations.

In the U.S., organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR are specifically known as Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) because they strictly administer the public performance rights of compositions. They do not handle mechanical rights (the right to reproduce and distribute), which are managed by entities like the Harry Fox Agency (HFA) or the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC).

See more: "Collective Management — What CMOs Do?"

In contrast, Vietnam uses the broader CMO model. An organization like VCPMC acts as a centralized hub, authorized to manage and license a wider array of economic rights beyond just public performance, including the reproduction of works and making derivative works. While VCPMC operates as a centralized hub, it strictly administers author's rights (quyền tác giả) for the underlying Compositions. It does not manage related rights (quyền liên quan) for Sound Recordings.

International cooperation between Collective Management Organizations

In today's digital environment, where music is exploited across borders, rights management extends beyond any single jurisdiction. Vietnam's intellectual property framework enables Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) to cooperate with foreign counterparts through reciprocal agreements, forming part of a globally interconnected rights management system.

Under these agreements, CMOs can represent and license the rights of foreign right holders within their own territories, while partner organizations abroad administer the rights of Vietnamese creators in their respective markets. This mechanism allows creators to receive royalties from international uses of their works without needing to join multiple societies worldwide.

At the same time, reciprocal cooperation simplifies licensing for users. Instead of negotiating with numerous rights holders across different countries, music users can access both domestic and international repertoires through local CMOs.

As an indispensable intermediary, CMOs balance the financial interests of creators with the commercial needs of users. By aligning its legal framework with international treaties such as the Berne Convention, CPTPP, and the WIPO Copyright Treaty, Vietnam ensures that its CMOs operate transparently and effectively — supporting a professional music ecosystem that can thrive both locally and globally.

CMO in Vietnam & How It Fits the Vietnam Ecosystem?