Publishing – DistroKid Help Center

How Does DistroKid Publishing Work?

When you sign up for DistroKid Publishing, we act as your publishing administrator.We collect composition royalties on your behalf, and you keep full ownership of your copyright. As your publishing administrator, we will: Register your works with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO). (Don't have a PRO? No worries, you’re still eligible; learn more here.) Register your works with global collection societies. Collect eligible publishing royalties. Send those royalties to your DistroKid Bank.
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How to Qualify for DistroKid Publishing

Currently, a songwriter can use DistroKid Publishing on their account if the following requirements are met: They have a minimum of 5 songs distributed with DistroKidThey have a maximum of 50 songs distributed with DistroKidIf you currently do not meet these requirements, stay tuned! Expanded publishing support will be coming soon.
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Does DistroKid Collect my Songwriting Royalties?

DistroKid can only collect your composition royalties (sometimes referred to as songwriting royalties) if you sign up for DistroKid Publishing.This is because composition royalties can only be collected by publishers, publishing administrators, or the songwriter. You can learn more about this in this article: https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/46710633476243.
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What Types of Royalties Are Collected Through DistroKid Publishing?

With DistroKid Publishing, DistroKid collects royalties tied to the composition of a song, including the following: Global digital mechanicals: Composition royalties from streams and downloads of your music. These are different from your usual streaming royalties, which DistroKid already collects for all members. U.S. offline mechanicals: Royalties generated through offline reproductions of your music, like physical sales. Global digital public performance: Royalties from non-interactive online radio (where listeners can't pick the next track), and satellite radio. U.S. offline public ...
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What's the Difference Between Recording Royalties and Composition Royalties?

Here's a simple breakdown of recording royalties and composition royalties: Recording royalties: Money for the recorded version of your song. This is paid to DistroKid members via their DistroKid Bank. Composition royalties: Money for songwriting. This is collected by publishers, Performance Rights Organizations, Mechanical Rights Organizations, and/or Collective Management Organizations. This is paid to your DistroKid Bank if you're eligible and signed up for DistroKid Publishing.
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How Are Composition Royalties Different from the Earnings I Already Get?

When your music is distributed by DistroKid, and streamed through a service it's delivered to, DistroKid Distribution pays you royalties for the sound recording. These are the royalties owed to performers and labels for the recorded version of your song.If you wrote the song, you're also owed composition royalties whenever it's streamed. These royalties belong to the songwriter and publisher, and can only be collected by publishers, publishing administrators, and songwriters.
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What's an IPI?

An IPI (Interested Party Information) number, which is sometimes called a CAE (Composer, Auteur, and Editeur) number, is a unique number assigned to songwriters and publishers by their Performance Rights Organization (PRO). It is usually between 8 and 11 digits, and is not the same as a member ID or account number with your PRO.If you are affiliated with a PRO as a songwriter, you can enter your IPI to use for DistroKid Publishing at https://distrokid.com/publishing/PRO. My PRO Assigned Me an IPI and a CAE, Which One Do I Enter?If your PRO gave you both an IPI and a CAE, only enter your IPI...
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I've Signed Up for DistroKid Publishing and Also Want to Register With a PRO. Where Do I Get Started?

DistroKid can administer your publishing if you are affiliated as a songwriter with a supported PRO. You can find a list of supported PROs and links to join them in this article: https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/46712266946963 Tips for Joining a PROHere are some tips if you're looking to join a PRO: Find a PRO that serves the region where you live. Join that PRO as a songwriter (DistroKid will take care of the publishing part). After you register, let us know by entering your PRO name and IPI Number at https://distrokid.com/publishing/PRO.
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Can I Use DistroKid Publishing if I'm Not Affiliated With a Performance Rights Organization (PRO)?

Yes, you can still opt your tracks into DistroKid Publishing even if you're not currently affiliated with a PRO. However, DistroKid Publishing can only collect the songwriter share of your performance royalties if you are affiliated with a PRO. If you are not, DistroKid Publishing will only collect the publisher share.What DistroKid Can Collect if You are Not AffiliatedIf you’re not affiliated with a PRO, DistroKid Publishing can only collect the publisher share of your royalties. What DistroKid Cannot Collect if You are Not Affiliated To receive the songwriter share of your performance roy...
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Does DistroKid Publishing Affect My Copyright Ownership?

Using DistroKid Publishing will not affect your copyright ownership. When you use DistroKid Publishing, you keep 100% ownership of your composition copyright and your sound recording.
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What Are the Requirements of a Song to Register Through DistroKid Publishing?

In order for a song to be eligible for DistroKid Publishing, some requirements must first be met. In addition, certain types of musical works are ineligible for registration through DistroKid Publishing. What Does a Song Need Before I Can Register it for DistroKid Publishing?Before you register a song, it has to meet a few basic requirements: Original musical composition: The composition must be original and created by you. It cannot be copied or derived from someone else's work.Songwriter info: We need to know what percentage of the composition you own and what percentage is owned by your ...
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What Does DistroKid Publishing Do if I'm Already Affiliated With a PRO?

If you're already registered with a PRO, using DistroKid as your publishing administrator still fills in important gaps. When you sign up for DistroKid Publishing, DistroKid will:Register your works for you.When you opt a song into DistroKid Publishing, DistroKid registers the composition with your PRO automatically. That removes an extra step from your release checklist.Collect all of your publishing royalties.Performance royalties are split 50/50 between a writer share and publisher share.If you're only registered as a songwriter and don't have a publishing administrator, you may miss the...
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Can I Still Use DistroKid Publishing if I'm Already Affiliated with a Performance Rights Organization (PRO)?

Yes, you can absolutely still use DistroKid Publishing if you're already registered as a songwriter for a supported PRO. Here is a list of PROs currently supported, with the regions they represent: AMRA - United States (Contact them for affiliation information) APRA AMCOS - Australia, New Zealand + more Australasia territories ASCAP - United States BMI - United States CASH - Hong Kong COMPASS - Singapore GMR - United States (Registration by invitation only) IMRO - Ireland IPRS - India JASRAC - Japan KOMCA - South Korea KOSCAP - South Korea MCSC - China MCT - Thailand MÜST - ...
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What's a Performance Rights Organization (PRO)?

A Performance Rights Organization (PRO) collects performance royalties for songwriters and publishers.These royalties are earned when your song is: Played on the radio Streamed online Performed live Used in television or in film Played in public places (stores, venues, etc.) To receive performance royalties, you need to be affiliated with a PRO. If you aren't, don't worry: you can still use DistroKid Publishing if you're not affiliated with a PRO. DistroKid Publishing will handle your publishing royalties either way. For more information, see this article.
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Will DistroKid Publishing Pitch My Music for Movies or TV?

DistroKid Publishing does not include sync licensing.
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The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective) Notified Me to Relinquish my Works to DistroKid. Should I Do That?

When you sign up for DistroKid Publishing, DistroKid becomes your publishing administrator. As your publishing admin, DistroKid will collect your mechanical royalties from the MLC on your behalf. In this case, "relinquishing" your works to DistroKid simply means that you are giving DistroKid permission to collect those royalties for you. You're not giving up any rights to your music when you do this.
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What Happens if I Cancel DistroKid Publishing?

If you cancel DistroKid Publishing, DistroKid will still collect any publishing royalties you earned during the time we were your publishing administrator.Because of how royalty timelines work, that means you might continue to receive publishing payments for up to 12 months after canceling.Once you cancel, DistroKid stops collecting royalties on anything earned after your cancellation date. You're not locked into a contract or minimum term, so you can opt out any time.
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How Often Will I Get Paid for My Royalties Through DistroKid Publishing?

When first starting with DistroKid Publishing, your initial publishing royalty payment will take about 6-9 months. After that, publishing royalties will be paid quarterly – this is the standard payment schedule for all publishers. Why Does the First Payment Take 6-9 Months?When you first opt in to DistroKid Publishing, DistroKid registers your works with global Collective Management Organizations (CMOs). These registrations take time to process, which is why the first payout takes longer than usual.
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