Royalties
Performance Royalties
Performance royalties are paid to songwriters and publishers when a composition is performed publicly — on radio, TV, in venues, or via streaming.
Whenever a song is played in public — terrestrial radio, a TV broadcast, a bar or store, a live show, or an interactive stream — it generates a performance royalty on the composition. These are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR and paid to the songwriters and publishers.
To collect them you need to be affiliated with a PRO and have your works registered with the correct splits. Notes handles that registration so the performance side of every play actually reaches you.
Good to know
Performance Royalties: common questions
- Who collects performance royalties?
- Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) — in the US that's ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR. They license public performances and pay songwriters and publishers.
- How do I start collecting them?
- Affiliate with a PRO and register your compositions with accurate writer/publisher splits. Notes manages the registrations so nothing slips through.