💡✍️ADN #118: How to Protect, Register, and Get Paid for Your Music
Feb 23, 2025A couple of weeks ago, I received a great question in an email from Chris, an ADN reader.
I thought today I’d share the question and my answers in case it is helpful to you.
Question:
“I’m curious if you have a guide for me to protect and release my songs: copyright, royalties, everything … which organizations, which forms to choose… I need to know I’m paying the right people to future-proof, protect, and register my music.”
Answer:
1. Copyright Your Songs
- File with the U.S. Copyright Office (Form PA for lyrics/melody, Form SR for recordings).
- It’s not required, but this is your legal proof if someone rips you off.
2. Register with a PRO (Performance Royalties)
Pick one: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC.
- They collect money when your music gets played on the radio, TV, and live venues.
3. Sign Up with The MLC (Streaming Royalties)
- The MLC collects mechanical royalties from Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
- If you skip this, you’re missing money.
4. Use a Publishing Admin (Global Royalties)
- Songtrust or TuneCore Publishing collect international royalties PROs miss.
- A traditional ADMIN or Publishing deal with a publisher (KOBALT, SONY, WARNER CHAPPELL, ETC. is also an option here.)
5. Register with SoundExchange (Digital Performance Royalties)
- SoundExchange pays you when your music plays on SiriusXM, internet radio, and digital stations.
6. If You Have an International Audience
- Consider AMRA for faster global collections.
Who You Don’t Need to Pay
- Anyone selling “worldwide song registration” that isn’t a real copyright office.
- Sketchy companies claiming they’ll “protect” your music for a subscription fee.
Final Checklist
- Copyright your music (U.S. Copyright Office)
- Sign up with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
- Register with The MLC (The MLC)
- Use a publishing admin (Songtrust)
- Set up SoundExchange (SoundExchange)
That’s it!
If you are wondering where to go to release your music, below are some options to check out as an independent artist:
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See you next Sunday,
Neil