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What are the benefits of joining Sabam?

Your copyrights are protected worldwide.

Thanks to our partnership with International Copyright Enterprise (ICE), we use our negotiating power to benefit your music. This ensures that your creative work receives the value it deserves worldwide, and that you receive the revenue generated across more than 205 platforms in 245 territories. Every stream counts, no matter where in the world it comes from.

You'll get paid your royalties faster.

Your online royalties are deposited into your account every month, faster than with other authors’ organisations. This ensures a steady flow of income. Within 6 months of the stream, you’ll already have received 95% of your royalties. 

You'll have more money left over after taxes.

We want you to keep as much of your money as possible. Thanks to our low 7% commission and Belgium’s favorable tax system, you’ll keep more of your earnings than with other authors’ associations.

A team close to you.

A team that knows you, speaks your language, and understands your reality. Accessible experts, close to home, and always ready to guide you.

From play to pay: here's how it works

Every stream counts. Every time your music is played, we make sure the resulting revenue goes to you. That way, you can focus on what you love most: creating. We’ll take care of the rest.

Your music is streaming

Your track is being listened to on Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, or another platform.

Every stream is recorded

The streaming platform or online music service sends a report to ICE - our international partner. The report lists all the tracks played over the past month.

Your work is recognized

ICE matches those tracks with our database, which also includes your music.

Your earnings will be collected

Can the use be correctly linked to the appropriate work and the appropriate rights holders? If so, ICE will send an invoice to the platform. 

You will be paid

Once payment has been made and we've done a final check, you'll receive your money. About 6 months after the stream, you'll have already received 95% of your royalties. 

FROM STREAMING TO REIMBURSEMENT

What are the real benefits of streaming for you?  

How are streaming revenues distributed? And what portion ultimately goes to you as a songwriter or composer?

For every euro that streaming platforms earn:

30% stays with the platform
Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok retain about one-third of the revenue to cover their operating costs: staff, technology, marketing, and other expenses.

70% is distributed among the rights holders
How is that 70% distributed?
55% goes to record labels and performing artists
Record labels investin the recording, production, and promotion of the music. Performing artists receive compensation based on their contract with the label or producer. The exact amount depends heavily on the terms of the agreement and the success of their music.
Up to 15% goes to you as a songwriter or composer
Did you write or compose the song? Then this is your share. Sabam ensures that this income reaches you quickly and accurately. Thanks to our competitive 7% commission, the largest possible portion of the proceeds from your music stays with you.

What you receive depends on:

how often your music is streamed compared to all other tracks;
the country where your music is listened to (ad revenue and subscription prices vary by country);
the type of subscription held by the person listening to your music (free or paid); 
your share of the work.

We'll help you get started

What should I keep in mind when registering my music?

Streaming starts with good metadata. Sound boring? Yet it’s crucial. Because accurate data ensures that your royalties are paid out correctly.

What do we mean by “metadata”?

Everything that makes your track unique: titles, alternative titles, featured artists, names of songwriters, producers, publishers... If an error creeps in (a typo, an extra detail like “radio edit”), there’s sometimes no match between our database and the reports from Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, etc. The result: you miss out on revenue.

That’s why we have these golden rules:

Check whether your record label or digital distributor (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby...)has submitted the correct metadata to the streaming platform - and whether that data matches your registration with Sabam. Everything must match exactly. A single typo could cost you money.

In short: data may not be rock ’n’ roll, but it is the foundation of your income. Make sure it’s correct, and Sabam will make sure you get your money.
 

How do I register my music with Sabam if there are multiple versions available online?

A radio edit, an acoustic version or a remix? Streaming platforms treat these as separate tracks. That’s why it’s important to register all versions of your music with Sabam as well. This is the only way to ensure that every stream - regardless of the version - is correctly counted and paid out.

Practical tip:

Use “alternative titles” in MyWorx when the distribution key remains the same for all versions. That way, you don’t have to re-enter everything each time, but you do ensure that each version is properly linked in our database.

What if I register my music with Sabam too late?

Registering too late can cost you money. That’s because not all platforms allow us to bill them retroactively. And even where it is possible, it can sometimes take 12 to even 36 months before you receive your royalties.

So always register your tracks before they go online. That way, you can be sure that every stream counts right away and you’ll get paid quickly.

Good to know:

At Sabam, your online royalties are paid out every month.

Within 6 months of the stream, you’ll already have 95% of your royalties in your account.

From play to pay: here's how it works

What you receive depends on:

We'll help you get started

Give your work the value it deserves