Royalty coverage
Does Songtrust collect songwriter performance royalties?
Partly
Songtrust is explicitly NOT a PRO. It administers the PUBLISHER share; your PRO still pays your writer share directly. You still need ASCAP or BMI.
What this stream is. Paid when the composition is performed or broadcast. Split into a writer share and a publisher share, and those two halves can be collected by different parties.
Worth knowing about Songtrust
- Songtrust does not replace your PRO. You still need one, and Songtrust takes the publisher share only.
- Its mechanical commission rose from 15% to 20% effective 1 January 2025, so every older review is stale.
- Zero neighbouring rights. SoundExchange remains a separate registration you make yourself.
Read from Songtrust's own documentation on 2026-08-13. Check it yourself — and if it has changed, tell us.