Frequently asked questions

Yes, in the U.S., we can recover royalties dating back to 2002. For the rest of the world, we can go back between one and a half to two years.

Yes, there is no conflict. These are separate rights grants.

Yes, there is no conflict. SoundExchange collects money for record labels and performing artists, not songwriters/publishers.

Yes. As part of the process, Word Collections will become the administrator for your compositions on the MLC. After signing up with Word Collections, a representative from the MLC will reach out to confirm that Word Collections is now your catalog’s administrator.

It is for streaming and digital uses only. We have focused on creating the licensing deals, technology, auditing and pipelines for collection of global songwriter/publisher royalties earned every time there is a stream of recording on services like Apple, Amazon, Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, Deezer and more.

No, you need to terminate your current administration agreement before signing up with us. Alternatively, you can have your current administrator replace who they use with Songwriter Collections. It will earn them, and you, more money paid more quickly.

Yes, there is no conflict. With your instruction, we re-direct payments to your publishing administrator earning them and you more money than the entity they would normally use for digital collections.

Streaming songwriter/publisher royalties are not paid to record labels or distributors; a second separate license and royalty is required for streams of the song. Outside of the United States, these royalties are held by digital services and, if uncollected, are redistributed to others based on market share in that country. Without an entity working for you, you will not receive your earned royalties.

In most cases, to collect your streaming royalties in the U.S., you must become a member of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC). However, under the law, The MLC has no obligation to pay any songwriter/publisher their earned royalties, and any unpaid amounts become eligible to be redistributed by The MLC to others based on market share. The MLC currently holds an estimated $1.1 billion in unpaid royalties, increasing by approximately $20 million monthly. SongwriterCollections gets your money out of The MLC and into your pockets.

No, we are the only company that licenses directly with digital services across Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and other countries with no intermediaries or outsourcing, collecting 100% of the earned royalties. We handle all aspects of licensing, administration, collections, auditing, and distribution, ensuring you receive 100% of your earned royalties.

Yes, our direct licensing approach, free from intermediaries, allows you to receive your royalties up to a year more quickly.

Yes. There is no conflict. Distributors license and collect the royalties from streams and sales of sound recordings. Songwriter Collections licenses and collects the royalties from streams and sales of songs (the lyrics and melody).

Yes. If you provide us copies of your distributor or record label royalty statements that show how many times a recording has streamed on a music service and in what country, and you have not already been paid these royalties, we can provide you an estimate as to how much is out there for you.