Your music is your intellectual property. If it’s not protected, it can be stolen, copied, or used without credit—or payment. This guide gives you the essential steps to protect your work and treat your music like a business from the very beginning.
Copyright gives you the legal right to control how your music is used.
Covers:
• The composition (lyrics + melody)
• The sound recording
How to Register:
Visit the U.S. Copyright Office
Fee: ~$45–$65 (register a group of songs to save money)
PROs collect royalties when your music is streamed, played live, on TV, or radio.
Choose One:
• ASCAP
• BMI
• SESAC (invite-only)
Tip: Register as both a writer and publisher to collect full royalties.
An ISRC is a unique digital identifier for your song—like a barcode for tracking.
How to Get One:
• Your distributor will assign it (DistroKid, CD Baby, etc.)
• Or register via US ISRC Agency
Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of your ISRCs for every release.
Split sheets clarify who owns what when you co-write music.
Include:
• Song title and contributors
• Each person’s contribution (lyrics, melody, beat)
• Percent ownership
• Signatures + date
Free resource: Songtrust Split Sheet Guide
SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties (Pandora, SiriusXM, internet radio).
Why It Matters:
PROs like ASCAP/BMI do NOT collect these.
Sign up here: soundexchange.com
Publishing admins collect global mechanical royalties and sync fees on your behalf.
Good Options:
• Songtrust
• Sentric Music
Consider this when you have multiple releases or placements overseas.
Final Thought:
Treat your songs like the valuable assets they are. Protecting your work now means securing your future income.
“Write with passion. Protect with precision.”
References & Resources:
• U.S. Copyright Office
• ASCAP
• BMI
• SoundExchange
• Songtrust
• US ISRC Agency
• Songtrust Split Sheets 101
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