Step 1: Document the session
Capture the core information at the point of creation. Use a split sheet or digital tool to record every writer’s name, IPI number, CMO affiliation, publisher details, agreed percentage splits, and the working title. Do this before anyone leaves the session.
Step 2: Register with PRS (and MCPS if self-published)
If you are self-published, register your works directly with PRS for performing rights and MCPS for mechanical rights. Both use the same online portal. You will need the song title, all co-writer information with correct IPI numbers, and percentage splits totalling 100%. You can register a composition before a recording exists – add ISRC codes later when they are available.
If you have a publisher, they should handle registration on your behalf using CWR (Common Works Registration), the industry-standard format for registering works with societies globally. In practice, it is worth registering the work yourself in PRS as well to ensure the fastest processing, then notifying your publisher to add their details.
Step 3: Society processing
Once submitted, PRS and MCPS validate the registration, check for conflicts with existing claims, and – if the criteria are met – assign an ISWC. Your work data then enters the CIS (Common Information System), the global database maintained by CISAC member societies, making it visible to collecting societies internationally.
Step 4: International distribution
Your registration data flows to affiliated societies worldwide through reciprocal agreements. Each society imports it into their local systems. There are normal delays of weeks to months at this stage. If you have a publisher, they will typically register your works directly with major international societies using CWR, which can be faster than waiting for the reciprocal data exchange.
Step 5: Link recordings to compositions
When a recording of your work is released, the ISRC assigned by the label or distributor needs to be matched to your ISWC. For streaming royalties in particular, this link is what triggers mechanical royalty payments. If the match does not happen, your composition earns performing rights through PRS but may miss mechanical royalties entirely. Check that your publisher or distributor has made this link.
Step 6: Ongoing maintenance
Registration is not a one-off task. Update your records when publishers change, when new recordings are made, or when you spot errors. International registrations need particular attention – verify that your works appear correctly in the databases of major societies where you expect to earn. Quarterly checks of your PRS portal are a reasonable routine for most writers; annual deep dives into international databases are worth the time if your music earns across multiple territories.
