Hello ladies & gents; it's your favorite writer here...hope all is well where ever you all may be.
Today I'm going to give a little insight on how to properly register your music. I'm going to take a break from the interviews just for a second because there are so many artists that do not know how to properly register their music. Well today I'm going to help you out with this issue.
First let me clarify that registering your music with BMI or ASCAP and/or with the copyright office are unrelated, yet both should be done as soon as possible. Today, I'll be talking about solely registering with either of the PROs listed.
If you are an indie artist, you should register your music yourself; however, if you have a publisher then your publisher is the one that will be registering your music for you.
Let's get started.
BMI
First off, you'll want to be a member of BMI. It's simple to become a member and there's no annual fees or application fees. Just simply go to the BMI website, sign up, and go from there.
Now, registering your music with BMI is painless. BMI does not need a copy of your song; you do not have to pay anything to register; and best of all, you can do it online. The most efficient way to register is through your online account and your song(s) will be available in BMI's repertoire catalog almost immediately; usually the next day. However, for a song that does not auto-register when you fill out the online information, it can take up to 7 business days for the song(s) to reflect in the catalog.
ASCAP
Just like BMI, you have to be a member in order to register your song(s) with ASCAP. If you're not a member, you'll have to go to their website, sign up to become a member, pay their application fee--which is a one time fee of $50--then you'll be able to begin registering your song(s) within the next 5-7 days.
Similar to BMI, you can register completely on line. When you get into your account, you'll have three tabs across the right of your screen: My Membership, My Catalog, My Royalties. You would need to click on 'My Catalog' and then proceed to the tab that reads 'Register A Work'.
If there are other writers or singers on the song(s) you're registering, each individual's name and title would need to be listed. This will ensure each person receives the portion of royalty owed to them.
If there is a publisher that is registering the music, then the royalty distribution is almost always 50-50, in which will be an option to fill out when you get to that field of the form. However, this is something that will be in the contract had you --the artist-- signed with a third party publisher.
When registering with either of these PROs, you'll be asked if your music contains medleys or samples, if it's a work associated with a public domain, song duration, and more. Some of the information is optional, some is mandatory.
There is so much yet so little that goes into registering your music with a PRO. If you are creating and releasing music that is not registered, you're practically giving away your music for free. PROs are the front line army between your MUSIC and your MONEY. Get paid! Register your music TODAY!
Visit the links below if you are trying to sign up with either of these PROs and to learn more about them.
I am hoping you found this post useful. Please leave a comment below if you have anything to add or if you just enjoyed the post or if you'd like for me to cover something else you've been wondering about. I appreciate your loyalty and, as always, show some love by liking and sharing this post and the others on this blog.
x's & o's,
Rachel Marie, the writer
The Underground Artistry
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