Yes, In Several Important Ways
Many artists, publishers, and administrators use both TuneRegistry and Songtrust strategically to maximize their royalty collection while minimizing commission costs. Songtrust's agreement is not all or nothing, there are multiple ways to benefit from both services simultaneously.
Here are five strategic approaches to using TuneRegistry alongside Songtrust:
Strategy 1: Strategic Territory Management
According to Songtrust's Terms of Service, their "Territory" definition allows you to "opt-out of one or more specific countries or territories" from your administration agreement. This means you have the option to exclude the United States from your Songtrust administration while maintaining their services for international territories.
Why this strategy makes sense:
The US is the world's largest music market by revenue
Use TuneRegistry for all US registrations and collections with zero commission
Keep 100% of your US royalties while Songtrust handles international territories
Benefit from TuneRegistry's 3-5 business day US PRO registration speed
Maintain direct relationships with US collection societies
Significantly reduce overall commission costs since most catalogs generate the majority of their revenue from the US market
How to exclude territories from your Songtrust agreement:
In the "Please Select" dropdown, choose "Questions regarding Songtrust Terms of Service"
Submit your inquiry about excluding the US territory from your agreement
Wait for their team to respond with instructions on how to modify your territory coverage
This dual-service approach gives you the best of both worlds: TuneRegistry's zero-commission, fast US administration combined with Songtrust's international reach for territories where self-administration may be more complex.
Strategy 2: Register New Works with TuneRegistry
Songtrust's agreement is exclusive only for works you've already submitted to them. Any new songs you create after signing up with Songtrust can be registered with TuneRegistry instead.
This allows you to:
Benefit from faster US registration for new releases (3-5 business days vs. 2-13+ months)
Avoid commission on your newest works
Test TuneRegistry's platform while fulfilling your Songtrust contract
Build your catalog in TuneRegistry's system over time
Self-administer works which generate the majority of their income within the US
How this works:
Simply register any new works you create through TuneRegistry instead of submitting them to Songtrust. Since these works were never part of your Songtrust agreement, there's no exclusivity conflict. This is particularly effective for:
Time-sensitive releases that need fast registration
Singles or albums you're actively promoting
Works you expect to generate primarily US income
Building your TuneRegistry catalog while your Songtrust term continues
Strategy 3: Expedite US Registrations for Works Pending at Songtrust
If you've submitted works to Songtrust that remain in "Pending" status after several months and they are not showing as registered within your PRO account, you can use TuneRegistry to directly register those works with the US societies in 3-5 business days with Songtrust as the publishing administrator.
Important details:
You can list Songtrust as the publishing administrator on the work within TuneRegistry's system
Songtrust's exclusivity only applies once they have actually registered a work with a collection society
Works stuck in pending status and not actually registered at the societies would not be covered by their exclusive agreement until those works have been registered by Songtrust or by you with Songtrust listed as the publishing administrator
When to use this strategy:
Works have been pending at Songtrust for 2+ months
You've verified they're not showing in your PRO account
You have an upcoming promotional push or sync opportunity
You need registration confirmed for licensing purposes
Strategy 4: Register Your Master Recordings
Songtrust doesn't handle US master recording rights (neighboring rights) as they are a publishing administrator. You can use TuneRegistry to register your sound recordings with SoundExchange regardless of your Songtrust agreement, as these are entirely separate rights not governed by your Songtrust agreement and not a service that Songtrust offers.
Why this matters:
SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties for sound recordings (not compositions)
These are separate from publishing royalties
If you own your masters, you're entitled to these royalties
Songtrust focuses solely on publishing/composition rights
What you can register through TuneRegistry:
Master recordings with SoundExchange
All digital performance rights for your sound recordings
Neighboring rights for digital platforms
100% of SoundExchange royalties paid directly to you
This is a completely separate revenue stream that Songtrust doesn't address, making it a natural complement to their composition-focused service.
Strategy 5: Use TuneRegistry for Catalog Management
Even if Songtrust is collecting your royalties, TuneRegistry can serve as your comprehensive catalog management system.
What TuneRegistry's catalog system provides:
Stores important documents (split sheets, stems, contracts)
Stores and associate unique identifiers with their corresponding works/recordings
Manage and maintain collaborator information
Maintain detailed metadata records for works, recordings, and releases
Track registration status across all societies
Link works with recordings and releases
Benefits:
Songtrust's platform does not accommodate comprehensive catalog and contact management
Keep all your music business information in one organized system
Maintain records independent of any single administrator
Build institutional knowledge about your catalog
Prepare for eventual full transition to self-administration
Which Strategy Is Right for You?
If you're currently with Songtrust:
Strategy 1 (Territory Exclusion) offers the biggest immediate financial impact
Strategy 2 (New Works) is the lowest friction option to start testing TuneRegistry
Strategy 4 (Master Recordings) captures revenue Songtrust doesn't collect
If you're comparing both services:
Use Songtrust for international territories where they have established relationships
Use TuneRegistry for US administration to keep 100% of your largest market's royalties
Use TuneRegistry for master recording administration regardless of who is administrating your publishing.
If you're planning to transition:
Start with Strategy 2 (register new works with TuneRegistry)
Add Strategy 5 (use catalog management features)
Move to Strategy 1 (exclude US from Songtrust) when comfortable
Eventually complete full transition as your Songtrust term allows
These strategies aren't mutually exclusive. Many users combine multiple approaches to maximize their royalty collection while minimizing commission costs and streamlining their music rights administration processes.
Visit our pricing page to view subscription plans and sign up.