No, you generally cannot and should not try to register your songs separately in every country. As a songwriter, you are assigned one unique IPI Number (your “Global Music ID”). You are meant to join one “Home Society” (like ASCAP or The MLC) and use a Publisher to handle the other 150+ countries. Trying to join multiple societies yourself will likely lead to “Conflicting Claims,” frozen royalties, and a massive tax headache.
When artists realize they are losing 15-20% of their international income to “Reciprocal Fees,” their first instinct is often: “I’ll just join PRS in the UK and GEMA in Germany myself!”
It sounds smart, but in the music publishing world, it is effectively impossible for an individual to do this. Here is why.
1. The “One Passport” Rule (Your IPI Number)
In the music industry, you are identified by an IPI (Interested Parties Information) number. Think of this as your “Social Security Number” for songwriting.
- You get ONE: Whether you join ASCAP, BMI, or PRS, you are assigned one unique IPI.
- The System Restriction: Most global databases are built on the assumption that an IPI belongs to one collection society for a specific territory.
- The Conflict: If you try to join ASCAP (USA) and PRS (UK) directly as a writer, you create a complex “Dual Affiliation.” If you don’t configure the territories perfectly (e.g., telling ASCAP “Do not collect for UK” and PRS “Do not collect for US”), both societies will try to claim ownership of your songs globally. This results in a “Double Claim,” causing Spotify and radio stations to freeze your payments entirely.
2. The Logistical Nightmare of “Direct” Membership
Even if you could navigate the legal loopholes to join 5 different societies, the administration would crush you.
- The Tax Problem: If you join GEMA directly, you are legally earning income in Germany. You now have to file German tax forms. Multiply this by France, Japan, Brazil, and Italy.
- The Language Barrier: The Japanese society (JASRAC) sends statements in Japanese. The Brazilian society (UBC) operates in Portuguese.
- The Cost: Many international societies charge entry fees. PRS (UK) charges £100 to join. GEMA (Germany) charges €50/year.
The Reality: You would spend more money on membership fees and translation than you would earn in royalties.
3. How the “Big Players” Do It (And How You Can Too)
So, how do Taylor Swift or The Weeknd collect 100% of their money globally without joining 50 societies?
They don’t join personally. Their Publisher does.
While a Songwriter (you) usually only joins one society, a Publisher (like Audiobulb) acts as a corporate entity that can legally do business everywhere.
- You: Join ASCAP (USA). You have 1 IPI.
- Your Publisher (Audiobulb): Has “offices” (Sub-Publishers) in the UK, Germany, Japan, etc.
- The Trick: We register your song in the UK using our UK IPI number, linked to your US IPI number. The UK society pays us directly (fast), and we pay you in your home currency.
Comparison: The DIY Artist vs. The Published Artist
| Strategy | DIY Artist (Reciprocal) | DIY Artist (Direct) | Published Artist (Audiobulb) |
| Registrations | 1 (Home Society) | 50+ (Impossible) | 1 (We do the rest) |
| Speed | 12-24 Months | N/A | 6-9 Months |
| Mechanicals | ❌ Lost | N/A | ✅ Collected |
| Admin Work | Low | Extreme | Low |
FAQ: Global Registration
Can I join ASCAP and BMI at the same time?
No. You can only belong to one US Performance Rights Organization at a time. You would have to resign from one to join the other. However, you can use a publisher who is affiliated with both to maximize your opportunities.
If I move to another country, do I have to switch societies?
Not necessarily. You can stay with ASCAP even if you live in London. However, it often makes sense to switch to the local society (PRS) if you plan to live there permanently, as you will get paid faster for local gigs.
Does DistroKid register me in other countries?
No. DistroKid distributes your file to Spotify globally, but they do not register your copyright with global collection societies. That is purely a publishing task.
Summary
You cannot be in two places at once, and neither can your IPI number. The system is designed for you to have one home base and one global representative.
Your Next Step: Stop trying to hack the system by joining foreign societies. It’s expensive and dangerous for your copyright. Join Audiobulb, and let us use our global IPI network to collect your money from 200+ territories while you stay focused on writing the next hit.
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