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registration

join the pros

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Which PRO offers the best balance of services and royalty collection for your unique music career?
​

Choose a Performance Rights Organization (PRO)

• Research the main PROs like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC to understand how each works and benefits your specific role or situation.
• Compare fees, services, and royalty distribution timelines.
• Consider which one other artists in your genre or network use.
• Sign up with the PRO that aligns best with your goals and needs.​​

Mistakes to Avoid:
      Not Registering with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)

• Independent artists often forget to sign up with a PRO like ASCAP, B.M.I., or SESAC. These organizations ensure that artists get paid when their music is performed publicly on radio, TV & concerts. Without this registration, they lose out on valuable performance royalties.​

      Skipping SoundExchange Registration

• ​Failing to register with SoundExchange is another common mistake. SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties from platforms like PDX Radio, Pandora and SiriusXM, so missing out on this can result in a lot of lost earnings from digital streams!

registering music with your pro

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What steps can you take to ensure all your music is registered promptly and accurately with your PRO?

• Before, during or directly after creating a song, log into your PRO account and submit your work for registration.
• Provide all necessary Metadata details, including song title, writers, and splits.
• Ensure that all co-writers are also registered with the same or compatible PROs.
• Double-check that all information is correct to avoid delays in royalty payments.

Mistakes to Avoid:
     Delaying Registration

• Waiting too long to register music after its release is a common mistake. Registration should be done as early as possible—ideally before release—to ensure that the artist receives all royalties and their work is protected from day one.

     Not Using a Music Distribution Service That Handles Registrations

• Some artists don’t realize that certain digital distribution services automatically handle registration with PROs, SoundExchange, and other organizations. Choosing the wrong distributor or not utilizing their services effectively can result in incomplete registrations.

clearing samples

and the consequences of ignoring 
​©opyrights !

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click to learn more about
** current **
music
copyright
cases

Rap Music and
​the First Amendment
written by David L. Hudson Jr.

The Sting-Diddy
Royalties Dispute:
Intellectual
​Property
​Lesson
​written by Shaunette Stokes

10 Rappers Famously Sued for Using Unauthorized Samples
Written by David Opie

Eminem Wins Copyright
​Infringement Battle Against New Zealand
National Party
written by Sidney Madden

You must get samples cleared before you distribute, release, or monetize your song in any way, including streaming, selling, or any type of licensing. 
​Specifically, sample clearance must be obtained:
​

​Before Uploading to Streaming Platforms:
Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube immediatly take down tracks containing uncleared samples.

Before Licensing or Syncing:
If you plan to license the song for commercials, films, or TV, uncleared samples will not only prevent the deal, it will very likely cause legal issues later on.

Before Selling Physical or Digital Copies:
Whether it’s CDs, vinyl, or digital downloads, selling music with uncleared samples will result in legal action

Before Radio Play or Public Performances: If your song gets major radio play or is performed in a commercial venue, uncleared samples will attract unwanted attention of copyright holders.

Clearing samples protects you from:

• copyright infringement claims
• potential lawsuits
• possibility of major revenue loss

To get samples cleared, you'll need to follow a structured process.
both the sound recording  and the  written composition 
need to be cleared.

* Identify the Sample’s Rights Holders *

• Sound Recording Rights: This is usually owned by the record label that released the track.
• Composition Rights: This is owned by the songwriters and publishers. You’ll need to contact the publisher(s) to clear the use of the underlying composition.

* Contact the Rights Holders *

• Find the Record Label: For the sound recording, contact the record label that controls the master rights. Look for information on the album credits or use a music rights database like Discogs.
• Find the Publisher: For the composition, contact the music publisher. You can use performing rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC (U.S.), or PRS (UK) to locate the publisher.

* Negotiate Terms and Fees *

• Negotiation: Be prepared to negotiate a licensing fee, which varies based on the fame of the original track, sample length, and how you plan to use it.
• Upfront and Royalty Fees: You may need to pay an upfront fee and a percentage of royalties. Some rights holders may ask for a share of your songs publishing rights. this is known as a “co-publishing” deal.

* Draft and Sign a Licensing Agreement *
Once the terms are agreed upon, a formal licensing agreement is drafted which will include:

• The exact sample usage including length & context in your song.
• The territories in which the song can be distributed.
• Any financial arrangements such as upfront fees & royalties.

 * Document Everything *

• Keep written agreements and emails, as they’ll be necessary in case there are disputes or issues down the line.     This is your proof of clearance.

 *Consider Using a Sample Clearance Service*

• If navigating this process seems too complex, consider using a sample clearance agency like Tracklib, Sample Clearance Ltd., or RightsClearing. they'll handle all the research, negotiations, and paperwork for a fee. 

* Beware of Denials *

• Rights holders can refuse your request, and they are not obligated to provide a reason. In such cases, you may have to either alter the sample or abandon it entirely.

Clearing samples might take time, but it’s essential to avoid legal trouble and ensure you're not infringing on someone else's ip rights or losing potential revenue.

* alternatives *

• Avoid Using samples: 

​Create original compositions: Everything from melodies, rhythms, and soundscapes can be produced from scratch. This way, you maintain FULL CONTROL of your work and eliminate any legal issues regarding unauthorized samples
​

• Recreate the sample:

You can rerecord the sampled section to avoid paying part of the sample clearance fee. You'll still need permission from the music publisher, but not the owner of the master recording. 
 

• Use a pre-cleared sample:

You can buy and download samples from websites that offer libraries of pre-cleared samples. Splice
 

• Use fair use:

You might not need sample clearance if your use is considered fair.
for more info:
https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/ 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use
https://lasierra.edu/library/copyright-fair-use-guidelines/ 
https://lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/library/copyright-infringement-policy.pdf 

• Use samples in the public domain: The public domain is a collection of creative works that are not protected by intellectual property rights, such as copyright, trademark, or patent laws. This means that anyone can use or reference these works without permission or citation. 

Some examples of works that are in the public domain include: 

• Expired copyrights: Works that are no longer protected by copyright 

 

• Works with no original authorship: Works that do not have an original author 

 

• US government works: Works created by the US government, with some exceptions 

 

• Scientific principles: Scientific principles, theorems, mathematical formulas, and laws of nature 

 

• Books published before 1929: In the United States, books published before 1929 are in the public domain 

However, determining what is in the public domain can be complicated.
For example, a modern reproduction of a painting in the public domain could have its own copyright if it has enough originality.
​A collection of public domain works may also have a new copyright if the order of the works is protected. 

https://www.pdinfo.com/ 
https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/ 

copyrighting your work

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Music  modernization act
​

title i
Musical Works Modernization Act
downloads & streaming

title ii
Classics Protection and Access Act
Pre-1972 Recordings
​

title iii
Allocation for
Music Producers Act
​Producers' Royalties

The U.S. Copyright Office has designated the Mechanical Licensing Collective, Inc. The MLC to collect and distribute mechanical royalty payments under Title I of the MMA. As of January 1, 2021, songwriters and music publishers must register with The MLC using its online claiming portal to receive royalty payments
​under the new blanket license.

• Visit your country’s copyright office ( U.S. Copyright Office ) to understand the process of protecting your work.
• Submit the necessary forms, fees, and copies of your recordings or compositions to officially copyright them.
• If you write many songs, consider bulk registration to save time and money.
• Keep track of all your copyright certificates for future legal protection.

Mistakes to Avoid:
      Not Registering at All

• One of the most critical mistakes is failing to register music with the necessary agencies. Without proper registration, artists risk missing out on royalties and leaving intellectual property unprotected.

     
​      Incorrect Metadata

• Inaccurate or incomplete metadata (song titles, composer names, contributors, etc.) can cause problems with tracking and collecting royalties. Errors in metadata can prevent artists from getting paid properly or even lead to disputes over song ownership.

:
How will copyrighting your music impact your long-term protection and earning potential?

sound exchange

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• Go to SoundExchange.com and create an account.
• Register all your sound recordings to collect digital performance royalties from PDX Radio, Pandora, SiriusXM etc.
• Ensure that metadata accurately includes your artist name, ISRC code, track title etc. for all songs.
• Keep your account up-to-date with any new releases or changes in ownership.

Mistakes to Avoid:
Skipping SoundExchange Registration

• Failing to register with SoundExchange is another common mistake. SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties from platforms like PDX Radio, Pandora, SiriusXM, and other webcasters), so missing out on this can result in a lot of lost earnings from digital streams!

publishing administrator

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What additional opportunities for earning royalties might you be missing by not working with a publishing administrator?

• Research publishing administration services like SongTrust, TuneCore Publishing, or Sentric Music.
• Understand what services they offer, such as global royalty collection for mechanicals, sync, and publishing rights.
• Sign up and register your compositions with the administrator to ensure you collect all potential royalties.
• Regularly check in on your catalog to ensure all works are covered and accounted for globally.​

​
​Mistakes to Avoid:
      Not Using a Music Distribution Service That Handles Registrations

• Some artists don’t realize that certain digital distribution services automatically handle registration with PROs, SoundExchange, and other organizations. Choosing the wrong distributor or not utilizing their services effectively can result in incomplete registrations.

      Overlooking Mechanical Royalties

• Artists often miss out on mechanical royalties earned from song sales and streams by not registering with organizations like The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) in the U.S. or international equivalents. Failing to collect these royalties leaves money on the table.