SoundExchange collects royalties from satellite, cable and online radio stations on behalf or recording artists and record labels in the United States. Each time a song is played on stations from XM, Sirius, Pandora, Last.fm and the like Soundexchange collects royalties that are supposed to be paid out directly to recording artists and their record label (regardless of an artist’s “recoupment” balance with their label).

Unlike  PRO Royalties collected from terrestrial radio and paid out based on "estimates" royalties collect by SoundExchange are collected and paid on actual plays. Satellite, cable and internet radio continue to grow at a rapid pace and these royalties are an important way artists can actually get paid for their work.

However, if a recording artist fails to register with SoundExchange they forfeit the royalties due them after three years. According to estimates there are currently over 7,000 artists owed royalties who have not yet registered at SoundExchange and are at risk of forfeiting monies owned them.

P2PNet and Nashville entertainment attorney Fred Willhelms have formed  "Project Unfound Artist" to help find artists that are due royalties but not registered at SoundExchange. This project utilizes a crowd sourcing approach to identifying and notifying artists on the SoundExchange unregistered artist list. Check out Project Unfound Artist to learn how you can help get an artist paid.

If you are an artist please register at SoundExchange today!