publishing
Collecting publishing royalties with ASCAP
A sourced ASCAP publishing-registration guide for beat producers. Understand composition rights, registration roles and recording-rights boundaries.
The ASCAP registration route
A production credit is not by itself an ASCAP work registration. Agree the composition shares with the other writers, then register the work using the correct writer and publisher identities. Do not confuse the writer's performance share with the master royalty reported by a distributor.
- TerritoryUnited States.Source: ASCAP membership FAQ. Checked . Licence: official
- RightsPerformance royalties for compositions, not ownership of sound recordings.Source: ASCAP membership FAQ. Checked . Licence: official
- Membership rolesWriter and publisher memberships are distinct roles; register the relevant role for your rights.Source: ASCAP membership FAQ. Checked . Licence: official
- Joining feeFree for writers, and for writer + publisher joining together. US$50 for a publisher joining on its own.Source: ASCAP membership FAQ. Checked . Licence: official
- Temporary waiverASCAP describes the writer and combined writer + publisher fee waiver as temporary. A publisher joining on its own pays a US$50 one-time application fee.Source: ASCAP membership FAQ. Checked . Licence: official
Prepare the ownership information first
Agree the composition shares in writing. Keep writer names, IPI numbers, publisher identities, song titles and recording identifiers consistent. A producer credit establishes a creative role, not a particular royalty percentage. Check existing administration agreements before assigning collection rights again.
What distribution does not do
Master recording distribution, composition administration and performance affiliation are separate services. Dreamhause's optional publishing administration is US$65.00 one-time, with 85/15 on publishing royalties and 60/40 on sync. It is not included in the US$9.00 annual distribution fee. Eligibility and society membership requirements still apply.
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