How to Register Your Songs and Collect All Your Music Royalties

Many artists release great music but fail to earn all the music royalties they deserve — not because their songs aren’t good, but because they’re not properly registered. To ensure you get every naira, dollar, or cent your music generates, you must understand how royalties work and how to claim them from the right sources.

This article explains how to register your songs, protect your rights, and collect all your music royalties, with official links to every relevant website.

1. Understand the Different Types of Royalties

Before registering, it’s essential to know that royalties come from different rights — and no single platform pays you for all of them.

Main royalty categories:

• Performance Royalties: Earned when your song is played on radio, TV, streaming platforms, live shows, or public spaces.
• Mechanical Royalties: Paid when your song is reproduced — through downloads, CDs, or streams.
• Neighboring (Related) Rights: Collected for performers and sound recording owners when the recording is played publicly.
• Sync Royalties: Paid when your music is licensed for films, commercials, or video games.
• Print Royalties: Earned from sales of printed sheet music.

Each type flows through different collection systems, so you must register your works correctly to receive everything you’re owed.

2. Register Your Copyright

Copyright registration gives you legal proof of ownership. Although your song is automatically protected upon creation, official registration ensures you can enforce your rights in case of disputes.

In Nigeria, the official platform is the Nigerian Copyright e-Registration System (NCeRS).
Visit: https://www.eregistration.copyright.gov.ng

Steps to register:

1. Create an account on the portal.
2. Log in and select Register a New Work.
3. Upload your song files (MP3, WAV, or video format).
4. Fill out details such as song title, authors, and contributors.
5. Pay the prescribed registration fee and submit.
6. Once approved, you’ll receive a Certificate of Registration — legal evidence of ownership.

3. Join a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) or Collective Management Organization (CMO)

Performance royalties — from airplay, streaming, or live shows — are collected by a PRO or CMO.

In Nigeria, you can join:

• Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) – https://www.mcsnnigeria.org
• Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) – https://www.cosonng.com

Steps:

1. Apply as a songwriter, composer, or performer.
2. Submit ID documents and your list of works.
3. Register each song under your membership.

Once registered, these societies collect royalties on your behalf whenever your songs are broadcast or performed publicly — both locally and internationally through reciprocal partnerships with other PROs.

4. Register Each Song With Your PRO or CMO

Becoming a member isn’t enough; you must register every song so that the organization can track its usage.

You’ll need:

• Song title and duration
• Co-writers and percentage splits
• Publisher details (if applicable)
• ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code)
• ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)
• Release date

This ensures accurate tracking and prevents revenue loss when your music is played.

5. Use a Publishing Administrator for Global Collections

If you want to earn royalties from other countries, register your works through a publishing administrator. They collect royalties globally and register your songs with multiple PROs and mechanical agencies.

Top publishing administrators include:

• Songtrust: https://www.songtrust.com
• Sentric Music: https://www.sentricmusic.com
• Kobalt Music Publishing: https://www.kobaltmusic.com

Publishing administrators handle:

• Global song registrations
• Collection of mechanical and performance royalties
• Reporting and royalty tracking

These platforms are especially useful for independent artists without traditional publishers.

6. Register for Neighboring or Related Rights

If you’re a recording artist, producer, or label, you should also collect neighboring rights royalties — separate from songwriting royalties.

For international collections:

• SoundExchange (USA): https://www.soundexchange.com

Neighboring rights cover royalties for the use of your recording — from satellite radio, TV, or public performance of your sound recordings.

7. Distribute Your Music Digitally

To make money from streaming, you must distribute your songs to digital platforms. Use a digital distributor to get your tracks onto Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, and others.

Leading distributors include:

• DistroKid: https://www.distrokid.com
• TuneCore: https://www.tunecore.com
• CD Baby: https://www.cdbaby.com
• Ditto Music: https://www.dittomusic.com

These distributors collect streaming and sales income, while your PROs and publishers handle performance and mechanical royalties.

8. Track and Claim Your Royalties

Even after registering everywhere, you should still monitor your data and ensure payments are accurate.

Tips for tracking royalties:

• Compare streaming reports from Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay with your distributor’s statements.
• Regularly log in to your PRO or publishing admin dashboard to review earnings.
• Report missing plays or mismatched data immediately.
• Keep organized documentation of all song releases, collaborations, and ownership splits.

9. Your Complete Royalty Roadmap

Here’s a quick summary checklist to guide you:

1. Register your songs with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCeRS).
2. Join a PRO/CMO like MCSN or COSON.
3. Register every song under your PRO membership.
4. Use a publishing admin such as Songtrust for international royalties.
5. Claim neighboring rights through SoundExchange.
6. Distribute your music with DistroKid, TuneCore, or similar platforms.
7. Monitor and verify all royalty statements consistently.

Registering your songs and collecting your royalties is not just about making money — it’s about protecting your intellectual property and securing your creative legacy. The process may seem complex, but once you set up the right registrations and partnerships, your music can start earning even while you sleep.

Whether you’re an independent artist or signed to a label, your royalties belong to you — and the right registrations ensure you never leave any of them unclaimed.