How to Register Your Songs with PROs (IPRS, ISAMRA, PPL, MLC) for Maximum Royalties
Introduction
For every independent artist, songwriter, or producer, one of the most important steps in turning creativity into income is ensuring your songs are properly registered with Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). In India, these include IPRS (Indian Performing Right Society), ISAMRA (Indian Singers’ and Musicians Rights Association), and PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd.). Internationally, organizations like the MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective, USA) also play a crucial role.
As Sherley Singh, Founder of Music Rights Management (MRM), puts it:
“Publishing administration is at the center of it all. A song may be written in a moment of inspiration, but royalties flow for a lifetime—only if you’ve registered correctly.”
Step 1: Identify Your Role in the Song
- Composer / Lyricist → Register with IPRS.
- Singer / Vocal Performer → Register with ISAMRA.
- Producer / Label / Owner of Masters → Register with PPL.
- If your song is streamed in the USA → Ensure it’s listed with the MLC for mechanical royalties.
Sherley Singh stresses:
“One song can have three or four revenue streams. Missing even one registration means leaving money on the table.”
Step 2: Collect and Submit Metadata
Your song metadata is the DNA of royalty tracking. You must provide:
- Title of the song
- ISRC & ISWC codes (where available)
- Names of all contributors (composer, lyricist, singer, producer)
- Splits (%) agreed upon
At MRM, Sherley and her team work directly with artists to correct metadata, standardize naming, and ensure works are properly registered across societies.
Step 3: Register with Each PRO
- IPRS – Submit your songs as a composer/lyricist.
- ISAMRA – Singers file claims for their performances.
- PPL – Producers and labels upload sound recordings.
- MLC – Essential for Indian works streamed in the USA, as platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon pay mechanical royalties via the MLC.
Step 4: Monitor and Reconcile Royalties
Registration is only the first step. Sherley Singh explains:
“At MRM, we don’t just file registrations—we track statements, reconcile mismatches, and chase societies if royalties don’t show up. That vigilance makes the difference between pennies and pounds.”
Final Word
Registering with PROs isn’t complicated—but it requires diligence. Done right, it ensures that every time your song is played in a club, streamed on Spotify, or performed live, the royalties find their way back to you.
Sherley Singh sums it up best:
“Your music is your legacy. Protect it, register it, and let it pay you for a lifetime.”