How Do I Register a Song With My PRO?
While you can log into ASCAP or BMI and register a song yourself, you probably shouldn’t. If you register only as a songwriter, you are only collecting the Writer’s Share (50% of the pie). Without a publisher to claim the Publisher’s Share, that other 50% often sits unclaimed in a “black box” or is eventually […]
Can I Be a Member of Two PROs at Once?
As an individual songwriter, the answer is no. You are generally only allowed to have one active affiliation per territory (e.g., you can’t be in ASCAP and BMI at the same time). However, as a publisher, the answer is yes, and it’s actually required if you want to represent other writers. It’s a common question: […]
How Do I Collect Royalties from India or Africa if I’m Signed with ASCAP/BMI?
While ASCAP and BMI have “Reciprocal Agreements” with societies in India (IPRS) and Africa (like SAMRO in South Africa), these agreements are often limited to Performance Royalties (Radio/TV). They rarely cover Mechanical Royalties (Streaming), which means a large chunk of your income from these regions is likely sitting unclaimed. To collect 100% of your money, […]
How Do I Get My Music Published in Multiple Territories?
You don’t get your music published territory-by-territory yourself. Instead, you sign a single Publishing Administration agreement with a partner like Audiobulb. We then use our network of “Sub-Publishers” to register your songs directly with collection societies in every major music market—from the UK (PRS) to Japan (JASRAC) and beyond. In the digital era, your music […]
Do I Have to Register My Songs Separately in Each Country?
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 […]
What’s the Difference Between US and UK/European Publishing Systems?
The US and Europe treat music differently. In the US, music is treated as a Product (Economic Right), whereas in Europe, it is treated as an extension of the Person (Moral Right). Practically, this means the US uses “Statutory Rates” (fixed prices) while Europe uses “Percentage Rates” (negotiated cuts). If you don’t understand the difference, […]
How Do I Collect Royalties from Other Countries?
You cannot join every collection society in the world (it’s too expensive). You also shouldn’t rely on your home PRO (like ASCAP) to do it for you (it’s too slow). The industry standard solution is Sub-Publishing. By using a global administrator like Audiobulb, you tap into local partners in every major territory who collect your […]
How Do International Music Royalties Work?
Music is global, but copyright law is local. There is no “Global Music Bank.” Instead, every country has its own collection society. These societies talk to each other through “Reciprocal Agreements” to pass money back and forth. However, this system is slow and often “leaky,” especially for mechanical royalties, which is why international income is […]
How Can I Track Who’s Using My Music Online?
In the digital age, your music is “content.” Every time a travel vlogger uses your song in the background or a brand uses your beat for an ad, they owe you a royalty. Most artists have no way of knowing these videos exist. At Audiobulb, we use advanced audio-fingerprinting technology to monitor 20+ global platforms […]
What is The MLC, and Do I Need to Register With It?
The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective) is the only organization in the US authorized to collect Digital Mechanical Royalties from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. If you are an independent songwriter and you are not registered with The MLC (or using a Publishing Administrator who is), you are leaving roughly 15% of your US […]