How do I cancel CD Baby’s collection from SoundExchange?

You can stop CD Baby from collecting your SoundExchange Rights Owner Share by claiming that share yourself through SoundExchange Direct, also called SXDirect. Your claim will override CD Baby's claim for the same recordings.

Quick summary

• Register with SoundExchange as both a performer and a sound recording copyright owner (SRCO).
• Create an SXDirect account and claim your recordings.
• Claim from the current date forward. Claiming from inception can reverse earlier payments and create a negative CD Baby balance.

Before you start

You will need:

• A SoundExchange registration as a performer and an SRCO
• An SXDirect account
• The recording details needed to locate and claim your catalog

Claim the Rights Owner Share yourself

1. Register with SoundExchange as both a performer and an SRCO, if you have not already done so.
2. Create an SXDirect account.
3. Search for your recordings in SXDirect.
4. Follow SoundExchange's instructions to claim the recordings.
5. Claim the Rights Owner Share from the current date forward.

When you submit your claim, SoundExchange may show an overlap because both you and CD Baby are claiming the same recordings for some dates. CD Baby's claim appears under Audio & Video Labs, Inc. CD Baby automatically releases its claim when you assert your SRCO rights.

Overlaps usually resolve within 90 days. After resolution, only your claim should remain. Learn more in SoundExchange's guide to overlaps and disputes.

Do not claim from inception

Claiming from inception means claiming retroactively from the beginning of the recording's SoundExchange history. This can reverse royalties that SoundExchange already paid through CD Baby and may create a negative balance in your CD Baby account.

To avoid those reversals, CD Baby recommends claiming from the current date forward.

What happens if you do not claim the share?

If you do not claim the SRCO share yourself, CD Baby will continue collecting eligible SoundExchange revenue and paying it through your CD Baby account.

SoundExchange and SXDirect are third-party services. CD Baby does not control their websites or claim-resolution timelines.