Publishing
What Is PRO Registration?
PRO registration is the process of signing up with a Performing Rights Organization and registering your songs so that public performance royalties can be tracked and paid out to you.
PRO registration refers to two separate steps: (1) joining a Performing Rights Organization as a songwriter or publisher member, and (2) registering each of your songs in that PRO's catalog so performances can be tracked and royalties can be paid.
Without PRO registration, any performance royalties generated when your music is played on radio, streamed, performed live, or broadcast on TV go uncollected. PROs can only pay you if they know who you are and which songs belong to you.
In the United States, the two major PROs are ASCAP and BMI. Both are free to join as a songwriter. You can only be a member of one US PRO at a time — you cannot be registered with both simultaneously. Each PRO has a separate publisher affiliate membership if you are acting as your own publisher.
Make sure your songs are registered before your release date — retroactive performance royalty collection can be limited or delayed for unregistered works.
Official Resources