The money most music creators never claim
Every release generates several separate income streams, each collected by a different organisation. Miss one registration and that share sits unclaimed until it is written off. Here is the full map.
How the money travels
Step 1
A play happens
Stream, radio spin, live show, TV or social video.
Step 2
Two rights fire
The composition (song) and the master (recording) are paid separately.
Step 3
Different collectors
PRO, MLC, SoundExchange, neighbouring-rights agency, distributor.
Step 4
Matching by metadata
ISRC, ISWC, writer splits and credits decide who gets paid.
Step 5
You get paid — or it is written off
Anything unmatched becomes black-box income.
Income streams, one by one
Educational information only — not legal or financial advice.