Important Places to Register Your Music and Their Fees (South Africa Edition)
Important Places to Register Your Music and Their Fees (South Africa Edition)
If you’re a music artist, producer, songwriter, or performer, registering your music is one of the smartest moves you can make. It’s not just about protecting your work—it’s also about ensuring you get paid when your music is played on radio, TV, or online platforms.
In this blog, we’ll break down the most important places where you should register your music in South Africa and what the registration fees (if any) are. Whether you’re just starting out or already making music professionally, this guide will help you understand where to go, what it costs, and why it matters.
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1. SAMRO – South African Music Rights Organisation
Why register:
SAMRO collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and composers whenever their music is performed in public (radio, TV, concerts, restaurants, etc.). If you wrote or composed the music, SAMRO is essential for you.
What to register:
Your original songs (lyrics and composition)
Details of composers and authors
Fees:
✅ Free to join for songwriters and composers.
How to register:
Sign up online at www.samro.org.za
Submit your personal info, proof of identity, and samples of your work
Upload your musical works after approval
Benefits:
Royalties for public performances
Legal protection for your creative works
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2. CAPASSO – Composers, Authors and Publishers Association
Why register:
CAPASSO collects mechanical royalties, which are payments for the reproduction of your music on digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and physical formats like CDs or downloads.
What to register:
Your music’s composition details (melody, lyrics, arrangement)
Fees:
✅ Registration for individuals starts from R100 to R200, depending on the licensing deal and your distribution setup.
How to register:
Visit www.capasso.co.za
Sign up as a rights holder or publisher
Submit song details and ownership splits
Benefits:
Earn from digital streams and downloads
Licensing deals with streaming platforms
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3. RISA – Recording Industry of South Africa
Why register:
RISA provides ISRC codes, which are unique identifiers for your recordings. These codes help track and collect royalties whenever your music is played or sold online.
What to register:
Your sound recordings (MP3s, WAVs, etc.)
Metadata (song name, artist, duration)
Fees:
💰 ISRC code application costs R300 once-off (as of 2024).
How to register:
Visit www.risa.org.za
Apply for ISRC codes
Once approved, assign a code to each of your tracks
Benefits:
Proper tracking of your music
Needed for digital distribution platforms
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4. SAMPRA – South African Music Performance Rights Association
Why register:
SAMPRA collects needle-time royalties for performing artists and master rights owners (labels or independent artists) when their music is played on radio, TV, or public spaces.
What to register:
Commercially released songs
Details of performing artists and owners
Fees:
✅ Free for performers and rightsholders.
How to register:
Visit www.sampra.org.za
Choose your role (performer or rights holder)
Submit details and proof of your music release
Benefits:
Royalties for radio and TV plays
Protection for your performance rights
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5. Online Music Distribution Platforms
These platforms distribute your music to major streaming services like Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, etc.
Platform Annual Fees What You Get
DistroKid From $22.99/year (~R420) Unlimited uploads, global streaming
TuneCore From $14.99/single (~R270/year) Royalties tracking, global stores
CD Baby From $9.95/single (~R180 one-time) Distribution & YouTube monetization
Ditto Music From R250/year Unlimited releases
Benefits:
Access to international markets
Get paid streaming royalties
Some platforms offer YouTube Content ID and publishing services
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6. YouTube Content ID (Optional)
Why register:
YouTube’s Content ID system ensures you earn money when other users upload videos using your music.
Where to register:
Most distributors (like DistroKid or TuneCore) offer YouTube Content ID. Alternatively, use:
Identifyy (Free)
AdRev (Free or commission-based)
Fees:
✅ Often free, but platforms may take a percentage of the earnings (typically 20%-30%).
Benefits:
Monetize user-generated content
Track unauthorized uses of your music
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Bonus Tip: Always Use Split Sheets
When working with other writers or producers, always fill out a split sheet showing how the song is divided (e.g., 50% lyrics, 50% beat). You’ll need this info when registering your songs with SAMRO and CAPASSO to avoid royalty disputes.
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Conclusion
Registering your music is a critical step toward building a professional music career. Here’s a quick summary of the key places and their costs:
Organization Role Cost
SAMRO Public performance rights Free
CAPASSO Mechanical rights R100–R200
RISA ISRC codes for recordings R300
SAMPRA Needle-time royalties Free
DistroKid / TuneCore Music distribution R250–R500/year
By registering your music with these organizations, you ensure that your rights are protected and you are financially rewarded for your creative work.
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Ready to start earning f
rom your music?
Start by joining SAMRO and CAPASSO, then distribute through a platform like DistroKid or CD Baby. Don’t leave money on the table—get registered, stay professional, and take control of your music career.
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