Record royalty collection in Estonia driven by major concert boom

The Estonian Authors' Society (EAÜ) collected a record sum in royalties last year, attributed to an unusually large number of major concerts. Both classical and pop music composers were among the top earners.

The Estonian Authors' Society (EAÜ) achieved a record-breaking royalty collection in 2024, with the organisation's executive director Mati Kaalep crediting the milestone to an exceptionally busy year for large-scale live music events across Estonia.

According to Kaalep, the surge in major concerts throughout the year directly translated into higher royalty payouts for rights holders. The bumper year for live performances boosted income streams that flow back to creators whenever their works are performed publicly.

Among the biggest beneficiaries of the record collection were composers and songwriters from both the classical and pop music worlds, reflecting the broad range of performances that took place during the year. The EAÜ distributes collected royalties to its members based on how frequently their works are used in public settings, including concerts, broadcasts and other events.