You May Be Missing Out on International Royalties? What Every Artist Needs to Know

Let’s talk about a topic that’s surprisingly under the radar for a lot of artists—SoundExchange. More specifically: Is your SoundExchange account properly set up to collect all the royalties you’re actually owed… especially from outside the U.S.?

If you’re shrugging right now or thinking, “Wait, what is SoundExchange again?”—don’t worry. You’re not alone. But if you’re a recording artist, label, or rights holder, this could be one of the most important accounts you ever set up.

Let’s break it down.

So, What Is SoundExchange?

SoundExchange is a nonprofit performance rights organization that collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of recording artists and master rights owners. That includes royalties from platforms like:

Pandora (non-interactive)
SiriusXM
Internet radio (iHeart, Live365, etc.)
Music channels on cable TV
And other webcasters

But here’s the catch—SoundExchange royalties are completely separate from the ones collected by your PRO (Performing Rights Organization), like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.

Those traditional PROs collect performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers. SoundExchange collects for the sound recording itself, benefiting featured performers and master rights holders.

If you’re both the writer and the performer of your music? Yep—you need both.

Wait… Am I Even Registered with SoundExchange?

This is where it gets real.

A recent conversation I had with a SoundExchange rep brought up something a lot of people are overlooking: just having an account isn’t enough.

Many artists are not fully enrolled to collect everything they’re entitled to. Some aren’t even collecting international royalties. And others haven’t authorized SoundExchange to collect AHRA (Audio Home Recording Act) royalties, which adds yet another stream of income.

Let me ask you this:

Have you checked your SoundExchange settings recently?
Is your territory setting still showing “USA” instead of “Worldwide”?
Do you even have a SoundExchange account?

If you’re unsure about any of those, it might be time to log in and double-check. Here’s where to start.

Why International Registration is a Big Deal

You might be earning royalties from overseas without even knowing it. Here's how:

When your music is streamed, played, or broadcast internationally, foreign collection societies often gather royalties on your behalf. But unless you’ve given SoundExchange the authority to collect from those territories—or unless you’re already signed to a label or using a service like PPL in the UK—you could be leaving money on the table.

Here’s what to do:

Log in to your SoundExchange account
Go to Membership Status
Look for Mandate Territories
If it says “USA,” click Update
Change it to Worldwide

That simple tweak might unlock royalty streams you didn’t even know existed.

What’s the AHRA—and Why Should You Care?

Here’s something else you might’ve missed: the Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA). This law, passed in 1992, legalized private, non-commercial music copying (like burning CDs or making playlists for personal use).

While it’s great for consumers, artists still get paid when this kind of copying happens—but only if you authorize SoundExchange to collect those royalties for you.

To opt in:

While updating your territory settings, make sure you also check the AHRA authorization box.

Again, this is extra money that could be sitting in limbo. And if you’re an independent artist, no one else is going to do this for you.

SoundExchange vs. PROs: Why You Need Both

Let’s clarify this once more because it’s often misunderstood:

Organization	Collects For	Type of Royalty
ASCAP/BMI/SESAC	Songwriters & Publishers	Public performance (composition)
SoundExchange	Recording Artists & Master Owners	Digital performance (recording)

So if you’re an artist who also writes your own music, having just a PRO account means you’re only collecting half of your money. If you’re a producer or featured performer on recordings, you definitely want your SoundExchange set up, too.

And if your music is circulating outside the U.S.? International registration becomes even more important.

Final Thought: Don’t Let Your Royalties Slip Away

As artists, we pour our souls into music—but too often, we overlook the business side until it’s too late. If you’re not fully enrolled with SoundExchange—or worse, if you’re not enrolled at all—you might be losing out on money that’s rightfully yours.

So here’s your quick checklist:

Do I have a SoundExchange account?
Am I registered as both an artist and a rights owner?
Have I enabled Worldwide territory coverage?
Did I authorize AHRA royalties?

If you answered “no” or “not sure” to any of those, it’s time to fix it. Click here to log in or register.

Your royalties are waiting.

Want to stay ahead in the music biz? Follow Legendary Mix on Instagram for more real-world insights like this—and make sure your music is making money everywhere it’s played.