TWO COPYRIGHTS · DIFFERENT PARTNERS
Protect the song.
Support the release.
The composition is the songwriting. The master is the recorded performance. Publishing and distribution serve different parts of your business.
Who does what?
| Partner | Brief description | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher / publishing administrator | Works with the composition: registration, licensing and royalty administration under an agreement. Rights ownership, fees and term vary. | Find support → |
| Music distributor | Delivers recordings to streaming stores and accounts for recording revenue under its terms. Distribution does not automatically administer all songwriting royalties. | Find support → |
| PRO: BMI, ASCAP and local societies | Licenses public performances of compositions and pays participating writers and publishers. A PRO is not your record distributor or automatically your publisher. | Find support → |
| The MLC (United States) | Administers eligible U.S. digital audio mechanical royalties for compositions. It complements other collection organizations. | Find support → |
| Recording-rights collection | Recording royalties are separate from composition royalties. SoundExchange handles certain U.S. digital performance royalties; coverage depends on the use. | Find support → |
Join & register
Choose an organization to join or register on its official website. Check eligibility and existing affiliations before applying. These independent organizations are not announced Marble Gate partners.
BMISongwriters, composers & publishersJoin BMI Official website · opens in a new tabASCAPWriter & publisher membershipJoin ASCAP Official website · opens in a new tabSESACAffiliation by invitationView affiliation requirements Official website · opens in a new tabPRS for MusicSongwriter & publisher membershipJoin PRS for Music Official website · opens in a new tabSOCANPerforming rights membershipJoin SOCAN Official website · opens in a new tabThe MLCMechanical royalty registrationRegister with The MLC Official website · opens in a new tabSoundExchangeArtist & recording rights registrationRegister with SoundExchange Official website · opens in a new tab
Before you grant rights
Confirm songwriting splits, existing affiliations, territory, term, commission, royalty reporting, termination and whether ownership is transferred. Avoid duplicate administration of the same rights.
General orientation, not individualized legal advice. Verify eligibility and current terms directly. Sources: BMI’s rights explanation · The MLC’s royalty overview.