Another Performance Rights Organization

My previous blog I talked about the other Performance Rights Organizations. SoundExchange is a non-profit performance rights organization. They collect royalties for independent artist who record their own masters for satellite radio, Internet radio, music channels and other streaming sound recordings.

Before 1995, Sound Recordings did not have any type of performance rights; that meant that monies due to did not get paid. The Digital Performance in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 granted a performance right in sound recordings in some kinds of digital media.

SoundExchange is in charge of all statutory license fees or a compulsory license. SoundExchange is also working with the US Copyright Office on how statutory license are used. “According to SoundExchange they currently represent over 5,000 registered record labels and 43,000 registered artist; over 48,000 performer accounts, 20,000 Sound recording copyright owners and to date they have paid out over $900 million in royalties.”

I want to talk about several reason why you as a, performer or service provider should register with SoundExchange. This blog will focus on performers since my main interest is in Artist Management. My mission is to represent my artist to the fullest of my ability and keep them inform.

Registration and membership with SoundExchange is always 100% free, and now that is a word that we do not hear too often. You will receive the royalties that are due to you. You will not jeopardize your membership with the other performance rights organizations. They are in existents to pay songwriters and publisher; SoundExchange pays the performers and copyright owners. Each performer shall register if they are in a band or not. Do not assume just because one of the members of the band signed up that everyone signed up.

I will admit there are a lot of forms that you have to fill out. The forms can be confusing and if you do not understand them then seek help. We know most people will get to a certain point and abandoned the transaction all together, but doing so will only hurt you as a performer or copyright owner in the long wrong. You might now make a lot from it, but if you are due royalties then you need to register with SoundExchange and get what is rightfully yours every quarter. It does not matter if the performer had passed away they are still able to receive royalties to his or her estates or heirs.

The beauty of music is the creation of where it comes from, so be unique and different!

Sing, write, compose and produce from your heart!