Your Global Reach Is Shrinking: How to Collect International Royalties
- Jeanetta Brantley
- Sep 25, 2023
- 1 min read
You’re stoked—your track is blowing up in Europe and streaming on platforms all around the world. But are you actually getting paid for those international plays? The reality is that many artists are missing out on international royalties simply because they aren’t registered with the right organizations.
What Are International Royalties?
When your music is played or sold abroad, you’re entitled to international performance and mechanical royalties. However, these royalties don’t automatically flow into your account. You need to make sure you’re registered with the appropriate collection societies in each country or region.
How to Collect International Royalties:
Sign Up with Your PRO: Make sure your domestic PRO (like ASCAP, BMI, or SOCAN) has reciprocal agreements with international societies. However, this only covers performance royalties.
Mechanical Rights Societies: For mechanical royalties, you’ll need to register with societies like MCPS (UK), GEMA (Germany), and other global organizations—or work with a service like Songtrust to handle it all for you.
Digital Distribution: Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have deals in place for international streams, but it’s crucial to ensure your distributor (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore) is collecting these royalties on your behalf.
Common Pitfalls:
Not registering globally means you won’t collect all you’re owed.
Uncollected royalties expire in some countries, so if you’re not collecting them, they could be lost forever.
Bottom Line:
If your music is being played internationally, make sure you’re collecting the royalties owed to you. It’s your responsibility to sign up with the right organizations and ensure no royalties are left unclaimed!
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