Music Studio

Music Industry Guides

Everything you need to know about music business

ASCAP

Performance Rights

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a performing rights organization that protects its members' musical copyrights.

Collects performance royalties
Monitors radio, TV, and live venues
Quarterly distributions

BMI

Performance Rights

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) represents more than 1.3 million songwriters, composers, and publishers.

Digital and traditional performance royalties
International royalty collection
Online registration and tracking

SoundExchange

Digital Performance

SoundExchange collects and distributes digital performance royalties for sound recordings.

Digital radio royalties
Satellite radio coverage
Monthly distributions

SESAC

Performance Rights

SESAC is an invitation-only performing rights organization known for its selective membership and personalized service.

Selective membership process
Advanced monitoring technology
Monthly royalty payments

Harry Fox Agency

Mechanical Rights

HFA provides mechanical licensing, collections, and distribution services for publishers in the U.S.

Mechanical licensing services
Digital licensing platform
Royalty calculation and distribution

Quick Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) collects royalties when your music is played publicly. You need one to ensure you're compensated for radio plays, streaming, live performances, and other public uses of your music.
In the US, you can only join one PRO as a writer. However, if you're a publisher, you can represent different writers who belong to different PROs.
Royalty payments vary by organization but typically occur quarterly or monthly. The amount depends on how often your music is played and where. Each PRO has its own calculation method and distribution schedule.
Performance rights cover when your music is performed or played publicly. Mechanical rights relate to the reproduction of your music in physical or digital formats, like CDs or downloads.

Registration Checklist

Essential
Choose and join a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC)
Register for SoundExchange for digital performance royalties
Set up mechanical licensing through Harry Fox Agency
Register your songs with the Copyright Office
Set up direct deposit for royalty payments