U.S. Copyright Office
Register musical works and sound recordings, learn what copyright protects, and keep official records for your catalog.
Musician Resources
Protect your work. Build your catalog. Take care of yourself.
A practical starting point for independent musicians: copyright registration, artist-name protection, royalty organizations, release metadata, mental health support, recovery help, and music-industry wellness resources.
© Copyright
™ Artist names
🎵 PROs
⚙️ The MLC
📻 SoundExchange
🧡 Wellness
Quick PRO note: Most U.S. songwriters affiliate with one performing rights organization as a writer. ASCAP and BMI are common open options; SESAC and GMR are more curated/invitation-oriented. Research before switching or registering, because affiliation rules and terms matter.
1. Register ownership
Copyright your songs/masters when appropriate and keep splits in writing.
2. Choose royalty paths
Understand PRO, mechanical, and sound-recording performance royalties.
3. Protect your name
Research artist/band names and trademark basics before investing heavily.
4. Keep wellness close
Touring, releases, and creative work can be intense. Save crisis, treatment, and music-industry wellness links before you need them.
Directory
Helpful registrations, royalties, licensing, and support links
Rights & Registration
5Musical Works vs. Sound Recordings
Understand the difference between a song/composition and a master recording before registering or splitting ownership.
USPTO Artist / Band Name Trademarks
Research whether your artist name, band name, or brand name should be protected as a trademark before you scale.
US ISRC / Recording Identifiers
ISRCs uniquely identify individual sound recordings and music videos so platforms and royalty systems can track usage.
ISNI Artist Identifiers
ISNI helps identify public names for artists, writers, performers, publishers, and organizations across data systems.
Royalties & Licensing
8United States of America
United States selected. These are the same U.S. royalty and licensing resources already listed on Music Coast.
ASCAP
One U.S. PRO option for songwriters, composers, and publishers collecting public performance royalties.
BMI
One U.S. PRO option for songwriters, composers, and publishers collecting public performance royalties.
SESAC
A U.S. performing rights organization that represents affiliated songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Global Music Rights (GMR)
A public performance rights organization and licensing option representing selected songwriter and publisher catalogs.
The Mechanical Licensing Collective
Register, claim, and manage musical works data so eligible U.S. digital audio mechanical royalties can be matched and paid.
SoundExchange
Register as a featured artist or rights owner to collect eligible U.S. digital performance royalties for sound recordings.
Songfile / HFA
License cover songs and other mechanical uses for physical and digital formats when you need permission to use another composition.
Music Reports
Rights holders can use Music Reports tools and direct licenses to keep catalog data accurate for royalty processing.
Release & Metadata
2Split Sheet Checklist
Before release day, document writers, publishers, ownership percentages, producers, master owners, and contact details.
Release Metadata Checklist
Keep artist names, song titles, credits, ISRCs, UPCs, explicit tags, artwork, lyrics, and contributor roles consistent everywhere.
Mental Health & Crisis Support
3988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone around you is in emotional distress or crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 for immediate support.
Backline
Mental health and wellness support created for the music industry, including artists, crew, managers, and families.
MusiCares
Support for music professionals, including mental health, recovery, disaster relief, and emergency financial assistance.
Recovery & Wellness
2SAMHSA National Helpline
A confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance-use support in the U.S.
FindTreatment.gov
Search for mental health and substance-use treatment facilities by location, care type, and payment options.
Suggested order
A simple independent musician setup path
This is general education, not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. For contracts, trademarks, taxes, publishing, or crisis care, speak with the right professional or support provider.
Document splits
Agree on writing/master shares before release day.
Register works
Use the Copyright Office, your PRO, The MLC, and SoundExchange where applicable.
Check identifiers
Keep ISRCs, UPCs, titles, names, and credits consistent across platforms.
Save help links
Keep 988, SAMHSA, Backline, and MusiCares close for yourself and your team.