Skip to main content
Registration & Standards

Split

In a co-written work, the split refers to the agreed percentage of copyright ownership assigned to each contributing writer. Splits must sum to 100% and are documented in a split sheet. Accurate splits are critical for correct CMO registration and proportional royalty distribution to all collaborators.

Articles about Split

Songwriter vs Publisher Share: How Royalty Splits Are Calculated and Tracked
Royalties

Songwriter vs Publisher Share: How Royalty Splits Are Calculated and Tracked

The practical distinction captured by songwriter vs publisher share determines how composition income is split, registered, and routed through PROs, mechanical hubs, and DSP reporting. This article gives the operational rules, required identifiers and metadata, and step-by-step calculations for performance and mechanical flows, including two worked examples and a reconciliation checklist you can implement.

Read More
Understanding Music Royalty Splits: A Complete Guide for Independent Artists

Understanding Music Royalty Splits: A Complete Guide for Independent Artists

Understanding Music Royalty Splits: A Complete Guide for Independent Artists Types of Music Royalties and Their Implications If you think all music royalties are created equal, think again! Independent artists often find themselves navigating a complex web of royalties that can feel more like a maze than a straightforward path to income.

Read More
Guide to Publishing Royalties and Split Sheets for Businesses

Guide to Publishing Royalties and Split Sheets for Businesses

Whether you’re a label, manager, publisher, or distributor, industry leaders should always encourage their artists to have honest and open conversations about split sheets. After all, not having them in place means not being able to confirm a creator’s ownership percentage or collect any related publishing royalties.

Read More
How to Register Your Songs With a Performing Rights Organization Step by Step
Royalties

How to Register Your Songs With a Performing Rights Organization Step by Step

Knowing how to register songs with a PRO is the single most effective step an independent writer can take to start collecting public performance royalties . This concise, step-by-step guide shows exactly what metadata to gather, how to set writer and publisher splits, when to register recordings with SoundExchange or neighbor rights societies, and how to verify and correct registrations so you do not lose revenue.

Read More
How to Collect Every Royalty You're Owed as an Independent Musician
Royalties

How to Collect Every Royalty You're Owed as an Independent Musician

If you release your own music, you are probably leaving money on the table. This practical playbook shows how to collect music royalties at every step — from a catalog audit and correct metadata to registering with PROs, SoundExchange, and mechanical and neighboring rights societies, plus how to file retroactive claims.

Read More
Music Publishing Administrator vs Full Publisher: Which Is Right for You?
Music Publishing

Music Publishing Administrator vs Full Publisher: Which Is Right for You?

Music publishing administrator vs publisher is the core decision that determines whether you keep copyright and pay an admin fee or trade a publisher share for advances, active exploitation, and broader pitching. This article breaks down the legal differences, typical fees and splits, who collects which royalties, and the contract red flags to watch so you can choose based on catalog size, career stage, and income goals.

Read More
ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC: Which PRO Should You Join?
Royalties

ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC: Which PRO Should You Join?

Choosing the right PRO can change how much you earn from performances and how reliably you collect international and streaming royalties. In this ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC comparison we break down membership rules, payout mechanics, switching logistics, and what each organization actually collects so you can pick the one that fits your career.

Read More
SoundExchange vs PRO: Understanding the Difference and Why You Need Both
Music Business

SoundExchange vs PRO: Understanding the Difference and Why You Need Both

Most independent musicians and small labels leave streaming and radio money on the table because they confuse who collects what. This guide breaks down SoundExchange vs PRO so you can see exactly which organization handles sound recording versus composition royalties and gives step-by-step registration actions for artists, session players, producers, and rights owners.

Read More
DistroKid vs TuneCore Publishing Administration: Which Pays More?
Music Distribution

DistroKid vs TuneCore Publishing Administration: Which Pays More?

DistroKid vs TuneCore publishing is the question every independent songwriter asks when deciding how to collect the publisher share of their royalties. This article compares each service using published commission rates, fee models, territory coverage, and reporting differences so you can see which one delivers higher net payouts in realistic scenarios.

Read More