The sound you recorded.
A specific recorded performance, identified by its ISRC. Distribution and recording rights services concern this layer.
Explore music distributionMusic publishing · For songwriters & composers
You wrote it. Give the song its own story.
Music publishing starts with the composition. Bring your songwriting credits, rights and registrations together with Allot Lines.
For songwriters, composers and authorised composition rights holders.
01 Two rights layers
The recording is one part. The song is another.
A recording captures a performance. A composition is the underlying musical work. Owning one does not automatically mean owning the other.
Allot Lines Music Publishing helps you organise composition information for registration and administration. Clear credits and documented authority make the process easier to review.
The music you wrote.
The melody and lyrics, credited to composers and lyricists. Publishing focuses on the work, writer shares and composition rights.
Follow a composition02 Understand the income
Different uses. Different royalty pathways.
Publishing income depends on actual usage, licences, territory and the rights administered. Each pathway has its own reporting process.
Performance royalties.
Composition royalties associated with public performance, broadcast and relevant online uses, subject to local licensing rules.
Examples: radio, TV, live performances and licensed venues.
Mechanical royalties.
Composition royalties associated with reproduction and certain digital uses — separate from income paid for the master recording.
Examples: eligible streams, downloads and physical copies.
Sync licensing.
Permission to pair a composition with visual media. Fees and scope are negotiated for the use; placements are not guaranteed.
Examples: films, advertising, TV and games. Master permission may also be needed.
Learn more: WIPO — collective management · The MLC — work and recording information
03 Follow one composition
From a written song to a clearer rights record.
A preparation guide. Registration and collection remain subject to applicable agreements and each organisation’s processes.
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01Work
Start with the song itself.
A composition is the underlying melody and lyrics. One composition may be linked to an original master, a live version and a cover recording. Keep work titles and alternate titles consistent.
Prepare: work title · alternate titles · lyrics
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02Writers
Get everyone on the same page.
Identify every composer and lyricist by their legal name, confirm the agreed ownership percentages and record the agreement. A performer credit alone does not establish a songwriting share.
Prepare: legal names · roles · agreed shares
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03Rights
Know who already represents what.
List existing publishers, administrators and society memberships. Check territories, rights categories and agreement dates before appointing another administrator. Avoid overlapping mandates.
Prepare: IPI/CAE · societies · territories
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04Identifiers
Connect the work to its recordings.
Prepare songwriter identifiers, an ISWC if one has already been assigned, and the ISRCs of associated recordings. An ISRC identifies a recording; it does not replace a composition identifier.
Prepare: ISWC if available · linked ISRCs · metadata
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05Review
Keep the catalogue accurate.
Allot Lines can review your publishing information and the applicable administration arrangements. Address questions, retain accepted records and follow reporting when revenue is received. Society processing and reporting schedules vary.
Prepare: review · corrections · received statements
04 Your composition toolkit
Better information. Fewer loose ends.
Check agreed shares and build your preparation checklist. These tools run on this page only — no files or personal information are uploaded, and nothing changes an agreement.
Check the writer shares.
Use one consistent 100% composition ownership basis. These are not master royalty splits or a society’s separate writer/publisher allocation.
Confirm the names, percentages and agreement with all writers.
Build your work pack.
0 of 6 items prepared
05 Before you start
Ready to put the work in context?
Bring accurate information and the authority to represent the composition. Disclose existing arrangements before requesting administration.
Already represented?
Check your current publisher or administrator’s territory, rights scope and end date. A new arrangement should not duplicate an active mandate.
Co-written, sampled or adapted?
Confirm all writer shares and the necessary permissions. An artist credit, a beat licence or control of a master does not by itself establish full composition ownership.
Need a scope check?
Allot Lines offers registration without an upfront fee. Confirm administration terms, revenue share and the rights covered in your publishing agreement.
Contact Publishing Support06 Music publishing FAQ
Curious? Start here.
A few answers before your next step.
Is publishing the same as music distribution?
No. Distribution concerns the sound recording. Music publishing concerns the underlying composition and the interests of songwriters and composers. If you control both, prepare information for both rights layers.
Who should prepare publishing information?
Songwriters, composers, lyricists and authorised representatives of composition rights. Artists and labels should confirm whether they own or administer the composition before submitting it.
Can I keep my existing society membership?
Disclose your existing society memberships and administration agreements. Whether another arrangement can be added depends on the rights, territories and terms already assigned. Contact Support before creating an overlapping mandate.
Is there an upfront registration fee?
Allot Lines offers publishing registration without an upfront fee. Administration terms, any applicable revenue share and the scope of representation should be confirmed in the publishing agreement before you proceed.
How long do registration and royalties take?
Preparing a submission is different from a society accepting a registration. Processing, usage matching and royalty reporting follow the relevant organisations’ schedules. Registration does not guarantee earnings or immediate payment.
Do I need both ISRC and ISWC?
ISRC identifies a specific sound recording. ISWC identifies a musical work. Provide existing identifiers where available, and disclose missing information rather than inventing a code. Link all relevant recording versions to the work.
Does publishing guarantee a sync placement?
No. Sync requires appropriate permissions and an agreed licence. When an existing recording is used, both composition and master permissions may be required. Ask Support about current opportunities and the available service scope.
How can I contact Allot Lines?
Email [email protected] with your work title, songwriter details and the publishing question you need help with. Use Center for your account and keep documents ready for the relevant review.
Related tool
Keep your permissions in order.
Using someone else’s composition in a cover, remix or sample? Keep the permission in Licenses & Legals, link it to your releases and see when it expires.
Allot Lines · Publishing
Give your composition a clearer starting point.
Prepare the writers, shares and rights information. Open Center or contact our team to confirm your next step.