HISTORY and ACTIVITIES

MESAM is the first and most well-know authors' society in Turkey. It was founded by Turkish composers in 1987 in order to protect the rights of composers, lyricists and music publishers.  As of today, 4.072 members are registered to MESAM.

MESAM is among the first societies established in Turkey and is the first one in the field of music. Being the pioneer in the field of copyright administration in Turkey MESAM has enlightened the creators of music in Turkey about their commercial rights and obligations.

The operations of MESAM have also educated the music users. The record companies, publishers, broadcasters and all other public places that were using music without any authorization and free of charge in the recent past, have been informed about their legal obligations. The creation of necessary legislations, to achieve positive results in jurisdictions or the enlightening of the music users have been a very hard, detailed and long process and continues to be so.

The most important field for utilization of music is the Radio and TV broadcasts. MESAM has identified all the national, regional and local TV and radio stations in Turkey and signed agreements with the broadcasters.

MESAM also controls the music usage in general public places like hotels, Bars, Discos, Theatres, Concert Halls, Shops and Transportation Companies.

The rights in new technologies like Mobile Phone Ring Tones, Karaoke and Internet are also followed by MESAM and the royalties are collected.

MESAM, Musical Work Owners Society of Turkey will continue to pioneer the administration of rights in Turkey and will do its best to protect the rights of local and foreign authors