Can I join CD Baby Pro Publishing Administration if...

If I'm already with ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN or a different Performing Rights Organization?
If I write music with others?
If I have my own publishing company?
If I already have a publishing deal?

Can I join CD Baby Pro Publishing Administration if I'm already with ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN or a different Performing Rights Organization?

Yes. When you sign a submission up for CD Baby Pro, we act only as your publishing administrator, meaning we are complementary to your existing affiliation with your Performing Rights Organization (e.g. ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN, PRS).

Once you're with CD Baby Pro Publishing, the publisher's share of any performance royalties will be sent to CD Baby by your Performing Rights Organization. We also collect a lot of your international performance royalties at the source (in the other countries). Direct international collection allows us to collect your royalties as quickly and accurately as possible without relying on additional intermediates, who will deduct additional fees.  We then combine these performance royalties with any other royalties (e.g. mechanicals, etc.) and distribute to you in one payment.

Once you have completed the Pro Publishing Administration section of your account, we will send our agreement to you Performing Rights Organization (and collection societies around the world) so they know that we’re able to collect on your behalf. 

Don't worry if you have registered your works with your Performing Rights Organization prior to signing up for CD Baby Pro. We will not create duplicate works registrations; your PRO will simply list as as the publisher so we can take over collection.

NOTE: The domestic and international writer's share of public performance royalties will always be sent to you directly by your PRO.

Can I join CD Baby Pro Publishing Administration if I write music with others?

Absolutely! When you register songs via CD Baby Pro Publishing Administration, you need to provide us with the names and songwriting splits of any co-writers. We then register the song on your behalf and collect only your share or the shares of any of the other writers you have chosen for us to collect on the behalf of. 

Can I join CD Baby Pro Publishing Administration if I have my own publishing company?

Yes indeed! CD Baby will act as the publishing administrator of your publishing company, meaning we can register songs and collect royalties on your company's behalf.

Upon sign up, you will be asked to sign a Letter of Direction that allows us to register songs and collect royalties on behalf of your publishing company.

Once you're with CD Baby Pro, the publisher's share of any performance royalties from your publishing company will be first sent to CD Baby by your Performing Rights Organization. We then combine this with any other royalties (e.g. mechanicals, international) and distribute to you in one payment.

NOTE: The writer's share of public performance royalties will always be sent to songwriters directly by your Performance Rights Organization. 

Can I join CD Baby Pro Publishing Administration if I already have a publishing deal?

When you join CD Baby Pro Publishing, you're entering into an exclusive publishing administration agreement.

If you have an existing publishing administration deal, you will need to check very carefully to see if the terms of that agreement would prohibit joining CD Baby Pro. In most instances, it will not be possible to join.

Many people think that they have a publishing deal if they have a Publishing account with a Performing Rights Organization like ASCAP or BMI. Those are not publishing deals! CD Baby will act as the publishing administrator of your publishing entity, meaning we can register songs and collect royalties on your publishing affiliation or company’s behalf.