Music Royalties by Organization

Every PRO, CMO, and distributor collects different royalties — and has different ways to lose your money. Learn what each one does, what it doesn't, and how to make sure you're collecting everything you're owed.

Performing Rights Organizations

ASCAP

Performance royalties go uncollected when your PRO registration doesn't match your distributor metadata.

BMI

Unregistered works and metadata mismatches mean BMI can't match plays to your catalog.

The MLC

Over $400M in US mechanical royalties sits unclaimed at The MLC. After 3 years, it redistributes to major publishers.

SoundExchange

Artists who aren't registered with SoundExchange collect $0 from internet radio and satellite plays.

International CMOs

GEMA

Without an ISWC and correct PRO cross-registration, German plays generate $0 for most independent artists.

PRS for Music

UK streaming and broadcast royalties are uncollected when your PRO isn't affiliated with PRS.

Distributors

DistroKid

DistroKid collects master recording revenue only. It does not register with PROs, collect performance royalties, or handle neighboring rights.

TuneCore

TuneCore Publishing covers basic PRO registration but does not handle international CMO filings, ISWC generation, or metadata mismatch repair.