Embedding quality metadata on your music tracks and double checking that your digital distributor is doing the same is an important step in being paid the digital music royalties that you earn. SoundExchange reports that millions of dollars of unpaid digital royalty payments are due to inadequate metadata embedded on music files and CDs. Without embedding quality metadata on your tracks… non identifying, generic information like: “Track 1 by Unknown Artist” is submitted in royalty payment reports. When this happens, it’s almost impossible for the royalty payments earned by that play to ever make it to you.
Metadata embedded on your tracks should include: 1) the artist or group name, 2) the copyright holder (you or label name), 3) the track title, 4) the album titles and 5) ISRC number, if available. Embedding this data on your tracks ensures that you are identified as the person to whom royalty payments are owed for digital plays of your music.
Additionally you MUST REGISTER with SoundExchange (the agency that distributes digital royalties) to be paid the digital royalties that you earn from satellite or internet radio streaming of your music.
Do both! Register with SoundExchange and double check that the metadata embedded on your tracks is accurate, clear and detailed. Don’t miss out on getting paid your digital royalties.
–> Register with SoundExchange: https://www.soundexchange.com/artist-copyright-owner/does-soundexchange-have-royalties-for-you/
BY: Vanessa Kaster, Esq., LL.M.
vk@kasterlegal.com