Resource Center
Entertainment Resources, Services, and Financial Aid to benefit the Music Industry.
Managing Music Catalog & Royalties
Registering & Publishing Your Work for Maximum Music Revenue Potential
Ensure you are collecting all potential revenue you have earned and are entitled to by effectively registering and cataloging your musical works.
Performance Rights Organizations (PRO)
Royalty Collection for Songwriters & Publishers
PRO OVERVIEW:
Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) serve to protect the interests of Writers (Songwriters & Composers) and Music Publishers (the Entity that owns the Recording). The PRO is responsible for collecting income on behalf of Writers and Music Publishers when a song is publicly broadcast*. PROs collect fees from these establishments which they then make payments to their registered songwriters and/or their publisher. PROs do not collect digital audio mechanical royalties.
PROs CURRENTLY IN THE U.S.
Listed below are four Performing Rights Organizations (PRO). There are two types of PROs in the US. Those who accept general memberships: ASCAP & BMI, and those that are invitation-only memberships: GMR & SESAC.
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
Royalty Collection for Digital Mechanical Licensing
The MLC administers blanket mechanical licenses for eligible streaming and download services in the U.S., collecting royalties due under those licenses and paying the music publishers, self-administered songwriters, composers & lyricists, and ex-U.S. collective management organizations (CMO)
SoundExchange
Royalty Collection for Your Sound Recordings and Performances
SoundExchange has been designated by the US Library of Congress to administer, collect & distribute digital radio Performance Royalties for Non-Interactive Play on Internet(Pandora), Satellite (SiriusXM) & Cable (MC) Digital Radio Services. These royalties are paid to the featured artist and the sound recording owner for digital radio Performance Royalties for Non-Interactive Radio Play on Internet, Satellite, & Cable Digital Radio Providers.
Master Music Catalog
What is a Music Catalog and Why Do I Need One?
Each song written can potentially be in multiple music catalogs. Logging your own data in one place will help maintain the integrity of your musical work and registrations. As a Singer/Songwriter, Label, Publisher…it is a benefit to maintain a master list of your musical works including who owns which copyright and the song information such as the time code, release date, registrations & id numbers. This will assist in protecting your musical assets, completing audits, and claiming earned royalties.
Music Industry Information
MUSIC INDUSTRY SONG/WORK CODES DEFINED
These numbers are core identifiers used in the industry that can ensure your musical work is properly registered, tracked, and managed.
To ensure your music is included in the proper search engines, and for licensors to find your music, it is important to use the proper Genre. Most Platforms will allow for a primary and secondary genre. Discover the various Genre of Music and where your music fits best.
Definitions of Acronyms and Industry Terminology
Other References…
Digital Music Distributors & Replicators who also collect royalties (Tune Core, CD Baby & Distro Kid)
Digital Music Platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.)
Can We Help You Further?
Contact Us @GoodStuff@HenryKaponoFoundation.org
The information provided on this page is intended to provide basic royalty administration assistance, quick links, and basic information to assist in the registration of music works to collect various music royalties timely and effectively. Should you have any questions about specific agreements, contracts, or disputes, please work with your music publisher, PRO, and/or an Intellectual Property Attorney or Legal Counsel.
Disclaimer: This page is intended for informational purposes only and not as a solicitation or to provide legal advice. You are welcome to contact us directly, however, should you have specific questions or concerns, the HKF highly recommends speaking to an attorney or professional in the appropriate field.