At The Mezzo Agency, we’re on a mission to protect your songs — and the money they earn — from falling through the cracks.
If you’re a songwriter, producer, or recording artist, here’s a hard truth: royalties don’t magically find you. They follow the paper trail you build. Miss a step? You miss your money — sometimes forever.
Below is your quick crash course on how far back you can claim unpaid royalties, and what happens if you don’t act in time.
🎼 Performance Rights Royalties (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR)
How far back?
👉 Up to 2–3 years (U.S.)
Don’t risk it:
If you don’t register your songs correctly (release info, cue sheets, live setlists), your performances won’t earn a dime. No registration, no payout.
📀 Mechanical Royalties (via The MLC)
How far back?
👉 Up to 3 years
Watch out:
Unmatched royalties older than 3 years? They get handed to major publishers by market share. So when you don’t claim yours, the majors win.
🎧 Digital Royalties (Sound Recording & Artist Performance)
How far back?
👉 Up to 3 years with SoundExchange
Common mistake:
Many artists fail to register as both the performer and the rights owner. Result? Half your digital money goes missing. At Mezzo, we make sure you’re covered on both sides.
🌍 Neighboring Rights (International)
How far back?
👉 Typically up to 3 years, varies by country.
If you snooze:
Unclaimed royalties are split up among other artists and labels by market share. Your loss becomes their gain.
📹 YouTube Monetization (Content ID)
How far back?
🚫 Zero retroactive claims allowed.
Why it matters:
If you don’t link your composition to an official sound recording in YouTube’s CMS, you earn nothing from viral videos or fan uploads. Wait too long, and you forfeit that revenue forever.
💡 What’s the fix?
👉 Simple: build the right infrastructure, register early, and claim on time — or hire professionals who do this every day (hint: that’s us).
At Mezzo, we:
✅ Register every work, every time
✅ Track down unpaid royalties before deadlines hit
✅ Recover every retroactive penny you deserve
Stop leaving your money on the table. Book a discovery call with Mezzo today and reclaim what’s yours.
👉 Ready to protect your royalties? Contact us now!