Prepare for SoundExchange registration and separate the income being claimed

Identify the right income category

Start with the use and the recording, not an estimated streaming total. SoundExchange’s official explanation distinguishes its recording-side collection from songwriter and publisher income. Its US statutory role does not cover every digital music use or replace ordinary distribution reporting. Use the neighbouring-rights overview to understand the wider territory and role distinctions before assuming this route applies.

Clarify the role and existing representation

Write whether the claim concerns a featured artist, a sound-recording copyright owner or both, and confirm your authority to act. A songwriter, producer or session player is not automatically the same claimant. Check existing label, society or representation arrangements before creating conflicting claims. SoundExchange says a person need not be a US citizen to register for qualifying royalties; that does not guarantee that every recording or use qualifies.

Build a recording and authority file

Gather the artist’s accurate public identity, recording titles, versions, ISRCs and relevant ownership or representation records. Distinguish a release UPC from the recording identifiers. Mark missing information for resolution instead of guessing. Use the master-rights record and the identifier guide to keep the different records separate. A distributor account or a credit alone is not complete proof of every entitlement.

Use the official registration requirements

SoundExchange’s current registration process identifies performer, rights-owner and combined roles and can request verification and payment information. Review the actual requirements and agreements before proceeding. Supply sensitive information only through the genuine official process, not a public press kit or a DistroBolt enquiry. This guide does not open an account, accept a mandate, calculate a fee or confirm a particular payout method or schedule.

Reconcile the claim without double counting

Keep an inventory of the recordings and periods being discussed, the role claimed and any existing collection mandate. If a statement later seems incomplete or inconsistent, ask the organisation using its reference and a specific recording record. Do not substitute a DistroBolt collaborator split for an external collection instruction. DistroBolt’s distribution offer does not establish a SoundExchange collection mandate, legal determination or automatic registration on your behalf.

Keep a useful working record

• Qualifying use and recording identified
• Featured-artist/recording-owner role and authority checked
• Existing representation and possible duplicate claim reviewed
• Recording identifiers and supporting records reconciled
• Official current requirements reviewed privately before any registration

Use these fields in your own project notes. This is an original preparation worksheet, not an upload form or a request to submit private information here.

An illustrative working example

A hypothetical artist performs on and owns one recording but only performs on another released by a label. The artist records those roles separately and checks the relevant arrangements before preparing registration information. It does not claim the label-owned recording as its own merely because it appears under the same artist name. This is an educational example, not an ownership ruling.

Common questions

Related DistroBolt guidance

• Distinguish statements and payouts
• Review the actual agreements