Copyright registration (with the USCO or DPIIT) is for Legal Protection, it proves you own the work so you can sue if someone steals it. Publishing Registration (with PROs like ASCAP, BMI, or IPRS) is for Getting Paid—it ensures you receive royalties when your song is played. Audiobulb handles your publishing administration for $19.99/year, ensuring your “mailbox” is set up globally while you keep 100% of the ownership and the money.
1. Copyright Registration: The “Shield”
Copyright is about Ownership. While you own your song the moment you record it, formal registration with a government office (like the U.S. Copyright Office) gives you the legal “teeth” to defend it.
- Who it’s with: Government bodies.
- The Purpose: To establish a public record of ownership and allow you to sue for statutory damages ($$$) in court.
- The Cost: Usually a one-time filing fee per song or group of songs.
- What it protects: The actual “Intellectual Property”—the lyrics, melody, and sound recording.
2. Publishing Registration: The “Engine”
Publishing registration is about Administration and Royalties. Even if you have a copyright certificate, streaming services and radio stations won’t know where to send your money unless you are registered in the publishing databases.
- Who it’s with: Collection societies and PROs (ASCAP, BMI, IPRS, PRS, The MLC).
- The Purpose: To link your song to your bank account. It ensures that every time your song is streamed, performed, or broadcast, the royalty is calculated and sent to you.
- The Cost: Often a membership fee, or a percentage of your earnings taken by “Admin” companies. (Audiobulb changes this with a flat $19.99/year fee and 0% commission).
- What it protects: Your right to be paid for the use of your music.
Comparison: Protection vs. Payment
| Feature | Copyright Registration | Publishing Registration |
| Main Goal | Legal Defense / Ownership | Revenue / Royalty Collection |
| Paperwork | Registration Certificate | ISWC & IPI Codes |
| Entity | Government Office | PROs & Admin Companies |
| Duration | Life + 70 years (usually) | Ongoing (as long as it’s used) |
| Audiobulb Role | We encourage you to do this! | We handle this for you. |
3. The “Missing Link”: Why You Need Both
If you only have Copyright, you can prove you own the song, but you might never see a cent in royalties because the “pipes” aren’t connected.
If you only have Publishing Registration, you might get paid, but you are vulnerable. If a major artist “borrows” your melody, you can’t effectively sue them in federal court without that government copyright certificate.
4. How Audiobulb Simplifies the Chaos
Traditional publishers often muddy the waters between these two so they can take control of your copyright. We do the opposite:
- Clean Metadata: We register your songs with all global societies (The MLC, IPRS, etc.) using perfect metadata so your “mailbox” is always open.
- Zero Commission: Unlike other admins who take 15–20% of your “rent” (royalties), we take nothing. Your success belongs to you.
- Active Tracking: We don’t just wait for the PROs to send money. We use technology to track unfair use—bridging the gap between publishing and copyright protection. If someone uses your song without a license, we find it.
5. Common Myth: “My PRO handles my copyright.”
This is false. ASCAP, BMI, and IPRS are not copyright offices. They do not provide legal certificates of ownership. They are strictly “accounting” entities that track performances. You must still register your legal title with the government to be fully protected.
Summary
- Register with the Government to say “This is mine.”
- Register with Audiobulb to say “Pay me for this.”
By keeping these two separate, you remain the CEO of your career. You hold the title to your music, and we act as your high-tech business office, ensuring you are tracked, protected, and paid.
Your Next Step: Now that you know the difference, is your “mailbox” set up? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year and let us handle your global publishing registrations while you keep 100% of your rights and royalties.