The MCSN Musical Works Submission Form is divided into different sections. Each section collects specific information to ensure accurate registration, royalty distribution, and rights management. Below, we’ll explain each part, clarify key terms, and offer practical tips.

Part A: Your Details

In this section, you’re telling us who is submitting the work. Make sure you provide accurate contact information so we can reach you if necessary.

• Full Name / Business Name: Your legal name or your company name (if submitting under a business).
• Email Address: Use your registered email with MCSN.
• Phone Number: Provide a valid mobile number where you can easily be reached.

Tip: Double-check your email and phone number to avoid missing important updates.

Part B: Track Information

Here, you provide details about your music.

• Name of Song/Jingle: The official title of your work (e.g., “Lagos Nights”).
• Alternative Name of Song/Jingle (Optional): Any other title the work is known by (e.g., a remix title or nickname).
• Main Artist: The primary performer or band associated with the recording.
• Featured Artist(s): List any additional artists featured on the track.
• Length of the Song: The duration in minutes and seconds (e.g., 3:45).
• ISRC: The International Standard Recording Code, a unique identifier for your sound recording. If you don’t have one, your distributor or label may provide it.
• Genre: Select from options like Pop, Afro-Beat, HipHop/Rap, Gospel, etc. Choose “Others” if your genre isn’t listed.
• Date of Creation: When the work was completed (not necessarily released).
• Release Type: Indicate if it’s a Single, Bundle (EP/Album), or Unreleased.
• Primary Language: The main language of the lyrics (e.g., English, Yoruba).
• Secondary Language (Optional): Any additional language used in the work.
• Album Title (If applicable): The album name if the work is part of one. For singles, re-enter the song title.
• EAN/UPC: The barcode for the release, typically provided by your distributor for albums or singles.

Tip:

• Be precise with the song title and artist names to avoid confusion with similar works.
• If you don’t have an ISRC or EAN/UPC, check with your distributor or label. MCSN can still process your submission without these, but they help with global tracking.
• For unreleased works, select “Unreleased” under Release Type. You can still register these to protect your rights.
• Choose the correct genre and language to help MCSN categorize your work for licensing and reporting.

Part C: Composition Rightsholders

This section identifies who owns rights to the composition (lyrics, melody, etc.).

• Full Name as per ID: The legal name of each rightsholder (e.g., songwriter, composer).
• Role in Song:
  
  • CA – Composer Author: Wrote both music and lyrics.
  • C – Composer: Wrote the music.
  • A – Author: Wrote the lyrics.
  • E – Publisher: Owns publishing rights.
  • AR – Arranger: Arranged the music.
  • SE – Sub-Publisher: Manages publishing in specific territories.
• Share Split: The percentage of the composition each rightsholder owns (e.g., 50% or 100%). All shares must total 100%.

Tip:

• List all contributors to the composition, even if they’re not MCSN members. This ensures transparency and prevents disputes.
• Use a split sheet (a document signed by all contributors agreeing to the percentage splits) to avoid conflicts. You’ll upload this in Part F.
• If you’re the sole composer and lyricist, enter your name with a 100% share.
• For collaborations, confirm splits with co-writers before submitting. For example, if two songwriters split evenly, each gets 50%.

• You can add more rightsholders by clicking ADD after each entry.

Part D: Sound Recording Rightsholders

Here, you list those who own the sound recording (the recorded version of the song).

Sound recording rights are separate from composition rights and cover the master recording.

• Name or Pseudonym: The legal name or stage name of each rightsholder.
• Role in Song:
  
  • Performer: The artist who performed on the recording.
  • Producer: The individual who produced the track.
  • Record Label: The label that owns the master.
  • Other Rightsholder: Any other entity with a claim to the recording.
• Share Split: The percentage of the sound recording each rightsholder owns. All shares must total 100%.

Tips:

• Be clear about who owns the master recording. If you self-produced and performed, you may own 100%.
• If a label is involved, confirm their share before submitting. Labels often claim a significant portion of sound recording rights.
• Like Part C, a split sheet for sound recording rightsholders is highly recommended to clarify ownership.
• You can add more rightsholders by clicking ADD after each entry.

Part E: Agreement

Before finalizing, you must agree to four important declarations:

1. You confirm that you are the creator, performer, producer, or publisher of the submitted works.

2. You have assigned your performing rights, mechanical rights, neighboring rights, and/or film sync rights to MCSN via a separate Deed of Assignment.

3. You have listed all rightsholders correctly.

4. You understand that MCSN is not responsible for any disputes about ownership of the works you submit.

Then, you must:

• Enter your Full Name.
• Provide your Signature (either sign online or upload a scanned signature).

Part F: Upload Documents

The final step is to attach the required files:

• Music File: Upload the MP3 or WAV file of your song/jingle.
• Proof of Work: Provide evidence that your work exists publicly (e.g., screenshot of your song on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, TV, radio, etc.).
• Split Sheet/Agreement: Upload the agreement between all contributors showing how rights are shared.
• Other Supporting Documents: (Optional) Upload any other related files (contracts, certificates, etc.).