Intellectual property is copyrighted when it is fixed in a tangible medium like a recording or a song book. However, in order to legally sue someone for copyright infringement, you must register you copyrights with the US copyright office. You will also need to register your copyrights if you want to license your music to film and tv.
International Standard Recording Code
The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is an international standard code for uniquely identifying sound recordings and music video recordings.
Performance Rights Organizations
PROs are the organizations that collect performance royalties for songwriters. Anytime your music is publicly performed, either as the recording or live, PROs are the entities that collect that money and pay it to the rights holder. Anyone can register with ASCAP or BMI, however, one must be invited to SESAC and Global Music Rights.
LIVE PERFORMANCE REPORTING
In order to get paid for the live performances you do at various venues, you will have to report your setlist and the venue to your PRO. As an ASCAP or BMI member, you can do this through BMI Live and ASCAP OnStage if the venue you performed at is licensed with your PRO.
SOUNDEXCHANGE
SoundExchange is a non-profit performance rights organization that collects and distributes royalties on the behalf of sound recording copyright owners (SRCOs — record labels, generally) and featured artists for non-interactive digital transmissions, including satellite, Internet radio, and cable television music.
Nielsen Soundscan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system for the Billboard music charts, making it the largest source of sales records in the music industry.
NIELSON BROADCAST DATA SYSTEMS (NBDS)
Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems, better known as BDS, is a service that tracks monitored radio, television, and internet airplay of songs based on the number of spins and detections.
MEDIABASE
Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals.
HARRY FOX AGENCY
The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) is a provider of rights management and a collector and distributor of mechanical license fees on behalf of music publishers in the United States.
ONLINE DISTRIBUTION
You need a distributor to get your music into Apple Music / iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, Deezer, Napster, etc in order to start making money from digital streams and downloads. There are many distribution companies that will do this for you. All you have to do is pick one. But how do you decide which one to use? We've provided links to three popular distribution platforms below, but you can study the differences between them and many more with the help of Ari's Digital Distribution Review Comparison to decide which option is best for you.
Memphis Slim Collaboratory
Slim’s Front Loan fronts necessary money that provides short-term financing to established musicians for touring, merchandising, promotional events and recording. The loan is available by application to members of the Memphis Slim Collaboratory in the Soulsville, USA neighborhood.
Sound Royalties
Sound Royalties is a company that offers music professionals non-credit based financing and funding without having to deal with banks or traditional lenders. They specialize in providing advances on future royalties for songwriters and musicians who often resort to selling parts of their publishing or songwriting rights to earn short-term cash.