If two different parties (writers or publishers) claim more than 100% of a song’s ownership, the collection societies will immediately freeze all royalty payments for that work. The money is held in an “Escrow” account and will not be released until the dispute is resolved. Without a publisher to defend your claim, your royalties can stay locked away for years—or even be lost entirely.
1. The “100% Rule”
In music publishing, a song can only have 100% ownership.
- The Conflict: If you claim 50% of a song, but your co-writer registers the same song claiming 75%, the total is 125%.
- The Result: Systems at ASCAP, BMI, and The MLC are automated. As soon as the math exceeds 100%, a “Conflict Flag” is raised.
2. Why Do Disputes Happen?
Most disputes aren’t malicious; they are usually the result of bad data or poor communication:
- The “Forgotten” Producer: An artist pays a producer a flat fee and assumes they own 100%, while the producer registers their 50% share separately.
- Sample Overlaps: You used a sample that wasn’t cleared, and the original owner’s publisher finds the song and claims 100% of it.
- Misunderstood “Equal Splits”: One writer thinks they deserve more because they wrote the chorus, while the others assume it’s a 4-way even split.
- Administrative Lag: You left your old publisher, but they haven’t “relinquished” their claim yet, while your new publisher (Audiobulb) has already started theirs.
3. The “Escrow” Trap: Where Your Money Goes
When a song is in conflict, the money doesn’t just disappear—it goes into “The Black Box” of the society.
- No Mediation: PROs (ASCAP/BMI) will not mediate your fight. They are not judges. They will simply send an automated email to both parties saying: “You have 60-90 days to resolve this, or the money stays frozen.”
- The Risk: If the dispute lasts for several years, some societies have “sunset clauses” where unclaimed or disputed money is eventually redistributed to the top-earning members of the society. If you don’t fight for it, you lose it.
4. How Audiobulb Protects You
This is where the value of a Publishing Administrator becomes clear. We don’t just “register” songs; we defend them.
- Step 1: Evidence Gathering: If someone makes a false claim against your song, we use your Split Sheets, timestamped demos, and ISRC data as legal proof of ownership.
- Step 2: Publisher-to-Publisher Negotiation: Instead of you having an awkward (or angry) phone call with a co-writer, our legal team talks directly to their publisher. We speak the “language of royalties” to resolve conflicts quickly.
- Step 3: Direct Overrides: If the other party’s claim is clearly fraudulent (a common issue with AI-generated “scam” claims), we work with the PRO’s dispute department to have the false claim removed and your royalties unfrozen.
Comparison: Resolving a Conflict
| Feature | DIY Artist (Solo) | Audiobulb Member |
| Communication | You must email PRO support (takes weeks). | Our team handles it via direct portals. |
| Legal Clout | Hard to be taken seriously by major labels. | Full institutional backing. |
| Resolution Speed | Can take 12+ months. | Usually resolved in 60–90 days. |
| Result | Money often stays frozen indefinitely. | Back-royalties are released to you. |
FAQ: Conflict Resolution
Someone registered my song before I could. What do I do?
Don’t panic. Registration date does not equal legal ownership. If you have a voice memo or a demo file dated before their registration, you have a strong case. Submit your evidence to Audiobulb and we will file a “Counter-Claim.”
Can I still perform a song if it’s in a publishing dispute?
Yes. A publishing dispute is about the money, not the right to perform. However, you won’t see any performance royalties from those gigs until the dispute is settled.
What is a “Letter of Direction” (LOD)?
If you and your collaborator agree on a new split to end a dispute, you both sign an LOD. This is a formal instruction to the PRO to update the percentages and release the frozen funds. Audiobulb provides these templates for our members.
Summary
A dispute is a “Stop” sign for your income. The longer a song stays in conflict, the less likely you are to ever see that money. Professional management is the only way to ensure your royalties keep flowing.
Your Next Step: Have you received a “Conflicting Claim” notice from your PRO? Don’t ignore it. Sign up for Audiobulb’s Administration and let our team of experts audit your catalog and clear your path to getting paid.