Registering Music Publishing: Setting Up for Royalty Collection

Registering music publishing ensures royalty collection when songs are performed, reproduced, or licensed. Without proper registration, royalties go uncollected or misdirected. Setting up correct publishing registration creates infrastructure for receiving deserved compensation.

Understanding Registration Needs

Multiple registrations capture different royalties. Performance, mechanical, and sync royalties have different collection paths.

Registration requirements vary by role. Songwriters and publishers have different registration processes and requirements.

Ongoing registration maintains collection. Each new song requires registration to enable royalty collection.

Accuracy in registration affects payment. Incorrect information causes payment problems and delays.

Performance Rights Organization Registration

PRO affiliation is first step. Joining ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC as songwriter enables performance royalty collection.

Writer versus publisher registration differs. Songwriters register as writers; to collect publisher share, either self-publish or sign with publisher.

Creating publishing entity enables full collection. Registering own publishing company captures both writer and publisher shares.

Song registration within PRO activates collection. After affiliating, each song must be registered to collect royalties for it.

Setting Up Publishing Entity

Publishing company registration establishes business. Creating entity to serve as publisher enables publisher-share collection.

PRO publisher membership requires entity. Registering publishing company with PRO allows collecting publisher portion.

Name clearance prevents conflicts. Checking that proposed publishing name isn’t already in use avoids problems.

Different PRO means different process. ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC have different publisher registration procedures.

Mechanical Royalty Registration

Mechanical Licensing Collective registration captures streaming mechanicals. MLC registration in United States ensures streaming mechanical payment.

Sound recording information connects to compositions. Linking recordings to underlying compositions ensures proper payment.

ISRC and metadata accuracy enables matching. Correct identifiers help match recordings to registered compositions.

International Collection

Sub-publishing or administration handles international collection. Foreign royalties require representation in other territories.

Collection societies work through reciprocal agreements. PROs collect internationally through partner organization arrangements.

Direct registration in foreign territories sometimes helps. For significant international activity, direct registration may improve collection.

Catalog Registration and Maintenance

Initial registration sets up collection. When first releasing, registering all songs activates royalty collection.

Ongoing registration for new releases continues. Each new release requires new registrations.

Catalog auditing identifies missed registrations. Periodically reviewing ensures no songs are unregistered.

Information updates maintain accuracy. Changes to ownership, rights, or contact information need updating.

Common Registration Mistakes

Incomplete information causes problems. Missing writer names, incorrect splits, or incomplete metadata undermines collection.

Delayed registration loses money. Royalties from before registration may be uncollectible.

Conflicting registrations create disputes. Different parties registering same songs causes payment problems.

Failure to register publisher share loses money. Many writers collect writer share but miss publisher share they own.

Registration Services and Tools

Administration services handle registration. Publishing administrators register songs as part of their services.

Registration platforms streamline process. Services like Songtrust, TuneCore Publishing, and others simplify registration.

DIY registration is possible but demanding. Managing own registrations requires ongoing attention to detail.

Verification of Registration

Checking registration confirms setup. Verifying songs appear in PRO databases confirms proper registration.

Royalty statement review reveals issues. Examining statements shows whether registered songs are generating expected royalties.

Regular auditing maintains collection health. Periodic verification ensures registration remains current and accurate.