How this happens
Publisher disputes where the wrong entity is collecting royalties on your songs happen more often than most artists realize. Common causes include:
A wrong writer name or IPI number in a registration, causing your share to be attributed to someone else
A foreign collecting society (like GEMA in Germany, PRS in the UK, or SACEM in France) claiming your share through an incorrect affiliation
A previous publisher or admin that was never properly removed from a registration
A song co-written with someone whose publisher has claimed more than their share
How to detect an erroneous claim
Signs that someone else may be collecting royalties that belong to you:
Your PRO dashboard shows a writer or publisher on your song that you don't recognize
Mogul flags a song as having a registration conflict or incorrect publisher
You're receiving less than expected from a specific source for a specific song
Your co-writer's publisher is listed as collecting a share that doesn't match your agreement
Step 1: Identify the claiming entity
Log in to your ASCAP or BMI account and look up the song in question. Check the "Works" or "Repertoire" section and look at who is listed as the writer(s) and publisher(s). Note the IPI numbers associated with any unfamiliar names.
You can also search the MLC database at portal.themlc.com to see how your song is registered there.
Step 2: File a dispute with your PRO
ASCAP: Contact ASCAP member services and submit a work dispute or correction request.
BMI: Log in and use the "Work Registration" section to submit a correction, or contact BMI member support directly.
MLC: Submit a dispute through the MLC portal at themlc.com or contact their member support team.
Provide documentation of your ownership. This can be your original co-writer agreement, your own PRO registration date, or any other evidence that establishes your claim.
Step 3: Let Mogul help
If you're on the Register or Concierge plan, Mogul can initiate the dispute process on your behalf. Contact support via the chat bubble, describe the issue and which song is affected, and we'll coordinate with ASCAP, BMI, or the MLC as needed.
Note: once a dispute is filed, resolution timelines vary. This can typically take several weeks to several months depending on the complexity and the organization involved. Mogul will keep you updated on progress.
What about foreign PROs (GEMA, PRS, SACEM, etc.)?
If a foreign collecting society has claimed your share, such as GEMA in Germany claiming a share of a song you registered in the US, the correction typically needs to go through both your US PRO (ASCAP/BMI) and the MLC. Your PRO has relationships with foreign societies and can request corrections on your behalf through their reciprocal agreements.