How to Register My Music? : New ways to boost your income

Table of Contents

How to Register My Music? A step- by- step guide.

Key Takeaway

Summary:
This guide walks you through the essential steps for registering your music to ensure you receive proper royalties. It covers copyright registration, the importance of protecting your work, and how to ensure your music generates income through royalties.

Links:

Many musicians miss out on significant royalties because their songs are unregistered. Registering your music can make the difference between being paid for your work and leaving money on the table.

Song registration is a vital part of protecting your work. This applies whether you’re an independent musician or signed to a label. Proper registration ensures payment for every stream, download, and performance.

Navigating the royalties registration process can be daunting, especially with the complexities of copyright protection and performance rights.

Would you like to secure your music rights and collect the royalties you deserve? We’ll guide you through song registration essentials, from simple copyright principles to digital platform requirements. Let’s begin!

Why Many Artists Miss Out on Royalties

Despite their hard work and creativity, many artists fail to claim the royalties they’re entitled to. This often happens for several reasons, such as:

Lack of Knowledge: Independent artists may need to know how to claim royalties.
Unawareness of Eligibility: Many contributors, like backing singers or session musicians, don’t realise they qualify for royalties.
Improper Registration: Artists may need to register with the appropriate organisations that handle royalty collection and distribution.
Metadata Errors: Inaccurate or incomplete song metadata can lead to unpaid royalties.

Additional factors affecting royalty payments include:

Relinquishing Rights: Some artists exchange publishing rights for upfront payments or other benefits.
Publishing Deals: Signing a deal often means transferring songwriting copyright ownership to a publisher.
Unclear Revenue Splits: Ambiguity over how royalties should be divided can leave some claims unresolved.

Understanding the royalty system, eligibility requirements, and proper registration processes is key to ensuring artists receive fair compensation for their work.

Understanding Music Royalties: What Are They?

Music royalties are payments artists receive for the use of their music. With several types of royalties, each earned in different ways:

Performance Royalties: These are earned when a song is played publicly. This includes radio airplay, live performances, and streaming services like Spotify. For example, you earn performance royalties if your song is played on the radio or streamed.
Mechanical Royalties: These royalties are earned when your song is reproduced and sold physically (like CDs or vinyl) or digitally (downloads, streams). If someone buys your music on iTunes or a record label presses vinyl of your song, you earn mechanical royalties.
Synchronisation Royalties: These are paid when your music is used in films, TV shows, commercials, or video games. For example, if your song is featured in a popular TV series or a video game, you’ll receive synchronisation royalties.
Print Royalties: These royalties are earned when your sheet music is sold or licensed. While this is less common for many artists today, it still applies if you compose printed and sold music.

Each of these royalties provides an income stream for artists. Knowing how they work can help you ensure you’re earning for every use of your music.

Understanding Music Rights Registration

Music rights registration is crucial for protecting your creative work in the digital era. It involves two primary types of copyrights, each addressing different aspects of music: composition rights and master rights. Here’s a breakdown of these rights and why they matter.

Composition Rights

Protect the underlying musical work, such as the melody, harmony, lyrics, and structure of the song.
Typically owned by the songwriter(s) or their publisher.

Master Rights

Cover the specific sound recording of the song—the actual version that listeners hear.
Usually owned by the recording artist, producer, or their label.

Example: The Difference Between Composition and Master Rights

Imagine an artist records a cover of a famous song:

The original songwriter retains the composition rights because they wrote the melody and lyrics.
The covering artist owns the master rights to their specific recording of the song.

Both parties may receive royalties: the songwriter for the composition and the recording artist for the master recording.

Why This Matters

Understanding these distinctions is essential for musicians, producers, and rights holders. Whether you’re licensing your music for film, streaming, or public performance, both composition and master rights must be accounted for. Proper registration ensures you get the royalties and protections you deserve.

Why Registration is Essential

The U.S. Copyright Office registration creates a public record of your ownership. This makes a considerable difference because you cannot take legal action against infringement without registration.

Registration opens multiple revenue streams. Your registered song can earn royalties through public performances, mechanical reproductions, and digital streaming.

Key Registration Organisations

Two types of organisations involved in music rights are:

Copyright Office: Registers your music for legal protection. It proves ownership and helps you enforce your rights.
Performance Rights Organisations (PROs): Collect and distribute royalties when your music is publicly performed, such as on the radio, in concerts, or on streaming platforms.

PROs ensure you get paid when your music is played in public.

Step-by-Step Copyright Registration Process

Whether in the U.S. or the U.K., registering your music is crucial to protecting your rights. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide for both countries, with tips for other locations.

U.S. Copyright Registration (via the U.S. Copyright Office)

Prepare Your Song Materials
- Complete song (audio file or sheet music)
- Song creation date
- Co-writers or contributors info
- Your personal/business details
Complete the Registration Form
- Create an account at the U.S. Copyright Office website.
- Select “Register a New Claim” and choose “Work of the Performing Arts.”
- Upload your song details and materials.
- Use Form SR for sound recordings or Form PA for compositions (or just Form SR if you own both).
Fees and Processing Times
- Fee: $65 (standard), $45 (if you’re the only author).
- Processing time:
  - Electronic submissions: 1.2 months
  - Mail submissions: 4.1 months
- Tip: Double-check your details to avoid delays.

You can refer to the official U.S. Copyright Office website for the most current and detailed processing times.

U.K. Copyright Registration (via the U.K. Intellectual Property Office)

In the U.K., copyright is automatic once your music is created and recorded. However, you can register it for proof of creation.

Prepare Your Song Materials
- Complete song (audio file or sheet music)
- Song creation date
- Your personal details
Register Your Work
- Register online at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) website.
- Upload your song materials, description, and dates.
- Registration provides legal proof of ownership.
Fees and Processing Times
- Fee: The standard fee for online registration is £57 for 5 years of protection or £95 for 10 years.
- Processing time: 4-6 weeks
- Tip: Register early for proof of ownership, especially if you plan to use the song commercially.

You can visit the UK Copyright Service’s official page for more details.

For Other Locations: How to Find Information

If you’re outside the U.S. or U.K., here’s how to find the right process:

Search for Your Country’s Copyright Office: Most countries have a copyright office registering your work. A quick online search with your country’s name and “copyright registration” will point you to the right place.
Check with Local PROs: Performing Rights Organisations (e.g., ASCAP, BMI, PRS for Music) often offer guidance for copyright registration and royalty collection.
Consult a Legal Professional: If you need help, consult an intellectual property lawyer or music rights expert.

Following these steps, you can register your music and protect your rights, no matter where you live.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Mistakes in the royalty process can cost you money. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for, along with tips on how to avoid them:

1. Errors in Metadata

Incorrect or missing song details, like the song title or writer credits, can lead to lost royalties.

Tip: Double-check all song details before submitting your music. Ensure the title, writer credits, and other important information are accurate.
Tip: Make sure your ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is correct, as it helps track your music and ensures proper royalty payments.

2. Not Registering All Contributions

If you’re part of a bigger project, like a band or a session musician, you need to register your contributions. If you don’t, you might miss out on royalties.

Tip: Make sure all contributors, like musicians or producers, are listed in your registration. This way, everyone gets their fair share of royalties.
Tip: If you’re a session musician or featured artist, register with the right PRO to ensure you get paid for public performances and other royalties.

3. Not Claiming Royalties from All Sources

Royalties come from many places: streaming, sync licensing (films, TV shows), international plays, and even older works. Don’t overlook any of them.

Tip: Look for opportunities to license your music for films, TV, or commercials to earn sync royalties.
Tip: Don’t forget international royalties. Ensure you’re registered with global PROs to collect royalties from plays abroad.
Tip: Even older songs can earn royalties, so keep your entire catalogue registered.

How to Verify Your Song’s Registration

Ensuring that your song is registered correctly and you’re collecting the royalties you deserve with a song registration search tool. This search helps you verify whether your song has been properly registered with the relevant copyright and performance rights organisations.

ASCAP/ BMI Registration Check: Both ASCAP and BMI offer tools for members to search their databases and check whether a song is registered under their system. By conducting a song registration search, you can confirm that your song is properly accounted for and that royalties are being collected.

Why It’s Important: A quick search of your song’s registration details can save you from missing out on royalty payments and protect your work. Many rights organisations provide public access to these searches, making it easy for songwriters to check registration status before their songs are used publicly. It’s a complex maze of registrations that address the issue of how to register my music, there are some simplified solutions.

How Melody Rights Maximises Your Royalty Registration

Ensuring you get paid for every stream, sale, and play can be a challenge as an artist. Many music distributors focus on getting your music onto popular streaming platforms but often need to catch up on other revenue sources. This is where Melody Rights steps in to help you claim all your royalties.

Comprehensive Royalty Registration

Melody Rights simplifies the often-complex process of royalty registration. While most distributors handle streaming royalties, they often overlook other key sources like mechanical royalties, international plays, and sync licensing (e.g., TV shows, movies, and commercials).

Melody Rights ensures your music is registered across all these channels so you don’t miss out on valuable earnings.

Maximising Your Royalties

Music distribution goes beyond just streaming platforms. Melody Rights tracks your music wherever it’s used, even in places others might miss. This includes:

Sync royalties from TV, movies, and commercials
Mechanical royalties from physical and digital sales
International royalties from plays outside your home country

Melody Rights helps you earn more by covering all these sources, even if you’re not a mainstream artist with a huge following.

Affordable and Streamlined

For less than a cup of coffee a month, Melody Rights ensures your music is fully registered and tracked across every major royalty-earning platform. We also provide clear, detailed reports to monitor where your music is being used easily.

The Melody Rights Advantage

Global Coverage: We register your music in all major royalty platforms worldwide.
Detailed Reporting: Get transparency on where your music is being played.
Comprehensive Service: We handle everything from streaming to physical sales and sync licensing.
Affordable Pricing: All this for as little as $5 a month (£3.80).

With Melody Rights, you can stop worrying about missed royalties and focus on what matters most—creating great music.

Conclusion- How to Register My Music

Registering your music is essential to ensuring you receive the royalties you deserve. Whether you are an independent artist or signed to a label, the copyright and royalty registration process can be complex. By understanding the different types of royalties and the registration steps for your country, you can protect your creative work and secure your earnings. Avoid common pitfalls like errors in metadata or failing to register all contributors to ensure every potential revenue stream is covered.

For artists looking for a comprehensive, affordable solution, Melody Rights simplifies the registration process, helping you track royalties from all sources, including sync, mechanical, and international plays. With global coverage, detailed reports, and a low monthly fee, Melody Rights lets you focus on what matters most—creating great music—while they handle the administrative side. Don’t leave money on the table—ensure your music is properly registered and start collecting all your royalties today. Melody Rights simplifies the entire question of how to register my music, through a single portal.

FAQs

How can I register my song for copyright protection?

You must apply to the U.S. Copyright Office to register your song for copyright. This involves choosing the appropriate online application form, such as the Standard Application for individual sound recordings or musical works, paying a filing fee, and providing a copy of the song.

What are the costs involved in registering a song for copyright?

The registration fee for a song varies depending on the type of application submitted.

Registering a song for copyright typically involves:

Filing Fees: Around $45 for online registration in the U.S.
Legal Fees: If you hire an attorney for assistance.
Additional Costs: For services like publication or music publishing.

How do I go about registering my song with ASCAP?

– Log into your Member Access account.

– Navigate to the “Works” menu.

– Select “Register a Work.”

– Alternatively, use the ASCAP mobile app to register your music.

What is the process for copyrighting music with BMI?

BMI does not handle copyright registration for your works. To copyright your music, it is advisable to visit copyright.gov. While BMI recommends copyrighting, it is not a mandatory requirement to use their services.