UBC (Brazilian Union of Composers) distributed more than BRL 1 billion to members and represented rightsholders in 2025 for the first time, accounting for 62% of royalties distributed by Brazil’s ECAD.
Distributions rose nearly 8% from the previous year. UBC is Brazil’s largest collective management organisation for music copyright.
ECAD, Brazil’s Central Office for the Collection and Distribution of Public Performance Rights, comprises UBC and six other member societies.
More rightsholders receive royalties
The number of Brazilian rightsholders receiving royalties through UBC increased nearly 10%, exceeding 32,000 in 2025. UBC also distributed royalties to more than 200,000 represented rightsholders worldwide.
Its international reach expanded through reciprocal representation agreements with sister societies, including an agreement with China announced in March this year.
Other changes recorded during 2025 included:
- A 6% increase in distributions of previously unmatched royalties.
- A 10% rise in registrations of members’ musical works.
- A 23% increase in sound recording registrations.
- A 5% expansion in total membership.
CEO Marcelo Castello Branco attributed the distribution record to operational discipline and investment in technology and innovation.
He also cited UBC’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, describing an organisational identity developed over nearly 85 years while responding to current conditions and preparing for future challenges.
Chief Operations Officer Fabio Geovane said UBC delivered record results amid changes in music and audiovisual markets, and would continue investing in innovation, technology, transparency and operational excellence.
Brazil’s royalty collections rise
Brazil’s collective management system collected a record BRL 2.105 billion from music users in 2025, an increase of nearly 15% from 2024.
Digital services, including audio and video streaming platforms, led growth, with collections increasing 47.2% year over year. Collections from live concerts and events rose 13.2%.
Other revenue sources included television and general users, a category covering retail stores, shopping malls, fitness centres, hotels and other businesses that use music.
Awards, songwriting and member services
UBC’s 2025 Annual Report also documents its activities beyond royalty collection and distribution:
- The UBC Award honoured Zeca Pagodinho.
- The second all-female songwriting camp, Por Elas Que Fazem a Música (By The Women Who Make Music), took place in partnership with Portuguese authors’ society SPA.
- The UBC Traditions Award honoured singer and songwriter Rosa Passos.
- The podcast Palavra de Autor (Songwriter’s Voice) returned for a second season, produced with composer and musician Celso Fonseca.
- Luiz Caldas received the UBC Medal.
- UBC launched a new website featuring a virtual assistant, Chiquinha.
Creators’ rights and artificial intelligence
Castello Branco said UBC also organised educational and networking activities for creators and industry professionals during 2025.
He said UBC worked in Brasília with its members and leadership on an ethical and responsible regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI) in Brazil and internationally.
“Our goal is to ensure that this technology respects creators’ rights and provides them with fair compensation. Protecting creators remains our highest priority and the principle that guides everything we do.”
Founded by authors in 1942, UBC is a nonprofit association representing more than 70,000 members. It manages music copyright collectively for authors, performers, musicians, publishers and record producers.
