Music Biz Resources

Copyright

The US Copyright Office

Electronic Copyright Registration (eCO)

Performance Rights Organizations

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers) /ASCAP Affiliate Login

BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) /BMI Affiliate Login

SESAC (SESAC Performing Rights)/SESAC Affiliate Login

GMR (Global Music Rights)

SoundExchange/SoundExchange Affiliate Login

ISRC Code (International Standard Recording Code

A ISRC Code is a unique code assigned to an audio or music video recording, to identify that recording. This code is used by digital aggregators, music distributors, and streaming services to identify and track digital sales and streams of the recording. It is also used to identify top songs for the Billboard Charts. To find an ISRC code, use the ISRC CODE SEARCH website.

Mechanical Rights Licensing (digital uses)

The Mechanical Licensing Collective

Mechanical Licensing (for streaming & download services):
Administers blanket mechanical licenses for eligible streaming and download services (digital service providers or DSPs) in the United States. The MLC will collect the royalties due under those licenses from the DSPs and pay songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers.

Mechanical Rights Licensing (physical products)

The Harry Fox Agency

Mechanical Licensing (for physical products of songs in represented publishing catalogs):
HFA is hired (by publishers with high profile catalogs / hit songs) to administer mechanical licensing for physical products (CD’s, vinyl, tapes, etc.) for their catalogs.  If someone wants to record a “cover” of a song represented by HFA, they must license it through HFA. In cases where indie artists wish to make recordings of a HFA represented song, “limited quantity mechanical licenses” may be purchased in advance through the SONGFILE.

Other Publishers/Administrators

Mechanical Licensing (for physical products of songs not represented/administered by HFA):

If someone wants to record a “cover” of a song that is not administered by HFA, they will need to contact the publisher/administrator of the song directly to secure the mechanical license.

Monitoring & Tracking Databases

Media Monitors (tracks music used in advertisements)

Media Base (airplay tracking / Top 40 Charts)
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Nielson BDS (airplay tracking / Billboard Charts)
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Soundscan (retail sales tracking)
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Gracenote (music & video information/ used by Itunes, Spotify, etc.)
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* Product automatically submitted if distributed by CDBaby.com and other popular distribution services. Check the FAQ for your music distribution service/digital aggregator if you are not sure.*

All Music (artist, album, album credits, music articles)
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* Product automatically submitted if distributed by CDBaby.com and other popular distribution services. Check the FAQ for your music distribution service/digital aggregator if you are not sure.*