Switching to Davincii from another administrator

You can move to Davincii from another publisher or administrator, such as Songtrust or a traditional publisher, one song at a time. The key rule: don't add a song to Davincii while it is still under an active agreement with someone else. When two administrators register the same share of the same song, societies flag the conflict and freeze payment on it.

Step by step

1. Read your current agreement's exit terms. Check how much notice it needs, and how long it keeps collecting after you leave.
2. Give notice to your current administrator. Ask them to release your songs, and for a letter of relinquishment or similar paperwork listing your works. Keep a copy.
3. Sign up and finish your profile. Add your PRO and IPI number so we can register you. What you need before you sign up lists everything.
4. Add songs as they are released. Songs that were never under another agreement can go in right away through Add a Song. Add the rest once your old agreement no longer covers them. How to add a song walks through it.
5. Follow each song on My Songs. What each song status means explains the labels.

Your PRO membership doesn't change. Your writer share keeps coming straight from your PRO throughout.

If a song shows as Held

We never file over another publisher. If another publisher still has one of your songs registered, the song shows as Held and we don't file it. Its page says: "Held: another publisher has this song registered, so we haven't filed it. We'll email you if we need your signature." Why a song says Held has more.

If a society reports another publisher's claim

Sometimes a society tells us another publisher also claims a song. The song's page then shows a card headed Another publisher claims this song, naming the society and, when we know it, the other publisher. Royalties at that society are held until the claim is resolved. You choose one of two options:

• Transfer to Davincii. We prepare the paperwork and you sign it. At ASCAP and BMI that is a Letter of Direction, and if you have paperwork ending your previous publishing deal, adding it makes the case much stronger. At The MLC, if the other publisher doesn't respond within 30 days, the transfer completes automatically. BMI applies transfers from the calendar quarter it receives the paperwork.
• Release the claim. We withdraw our registration at that society. The existing publisher keeps collecting, the hold on royalties is lifted, and you can revisit this any time.

Nothing is filed anywhere until you choose. If you have questions first, write to info@davincii.co.

Money during the move

Until the society records change, royalties may keep going to your old administrator. Its exit terms decide how that money reaches you. Once your songs are registered with us, we credit your share every month. When royalties arrive explains the timing.

Pricing

There is no signup fee and no subscription. We take 15% of the performance royalties we collect (the publisher share) and 20% of mechanical royalties. See How much Davincii costs. Our guide to registering your song explains what registration involves at each society.