🎵 Why Every Songwriter Must Register with a PRO (and How to Do It Right)

You can write a hit song — but if you haven’t registered it with a PRO, you might never get paid for it.

Songwriting is a business. And one of the most common mistakes I see as an entertainment lawyer is this: talented music creators leaving money on the table simply because they didn’t register their work correctly.

🎯 What Is a PRO — and Why It Pays to Register

Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC (plus international counterparts like PRS, SOCAN, SACEM, and GEMA) collect royalties for public performances of your music — on radio, at shows, on streaming platforms, and more.

If your songs aren’t registered with a PRO, they can’t collect those royalties for you. That’s money you earned — but won’t receive.

⚠️ A Familiar Mistake — and How to Avoid It

I once worked with a songwriter who co-wrote a song that blew up online after a sync placement. The problem? The artist registered the song — but my client didn’t.

No registration = no royalties. Their name wasn’t listed, and they didn’t get paid. It was a hard lesson, and one that’s completely avoidable with the right process.

Here's a step-by-step checklist I use with my own clients to make sure their music is protected from day one:

Before You Register

☐ Know your legal name and any stage names

☐ Choose your Performing Rights Organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, PRS, GEMA, SACEM, APRA AMCOS, JASRAC, etc.)

☐ Open a writer account with your selected PRO

☐ If applicable, create a publishing entity

Song Info Needed

☐ Song title

☐ Date of creation

☐ Names and roles of all co-writers

☐ Ownership splits that total 100%

☐ Instrumental, vocal, or both

During Registration

☐ List all co-writers and publishing details (if applicable)

☐ Include any alternate or working titles

☐ Add ISRC or UPC codes (if available)

After Registration

☐ Save confirmation or screenshot of submission

☐ Notify collaborators that the song is registered

☐ Track performances (live, radio, streaming)

☐ Monitor royalty statements to verify royalty collection

🎧 Need Help? Let’s Protect Your Royalties

As an entertainment lawyer, I help independent songwriters and producers:

- Register songs accurately

- Draft co-writer split agreements

- Navigate PRO and publishing contracts

Your music deserves to be heard — and paid for. Let’s make sure the business side of your career is as strong as your creative side.