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Performing Rights Organisation · Italy

How to register with SIAE.

Register with SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori), Italy's long-established authors' rights society, to collect performance and mechanical royalties on your compositions across Italy and internationally through CISAC.

⏱ 25–40 minutesPerformance royaltiesMechanical royalties
1

Understand Italy's Liberalized Market

Italy's collective management used to be a SIAE monopoly. Following the EU CRM Directive, the market opened up — SIAE (the traditional, full-service society) now competes with Soundreef/LEA (a for-profit alternative).


You mandate one organization to manage a given set of rights. SIAE has by far the widest licensing reach (broadcast, live, public spaces, private events); Soundreef appeals to modern songwriters who want lower-cost, digital-first administration.

Why this matters

Choosing the wrong society — or accidentally mandating both for the same rights — creates conflicts that freeze payments. Decide deliberately before you register works.

Common mistake

Assuming SIAE is still mandatory. It is not — but it remains the default for most Italian creators because of its broad licensing infrastructure.

2

Become a SIAE Member

Apply online at siae.it. SIAE offers different membership categories (associato / mandante) with their own fee schedules — check the current admission and annual fees on their site before applying.


Have ready:

  • Government-issued photo ID or passport
  • Italian tax code (codice fiscale) if you have one
  • Bank account details (IBAN)
  • Evidence of your authorship/catalogue
    • Join SIAE →
    Why this matters

    SIAE manages performance and mechanical royalties and is deeply embedded in Italian live and event licensing — a single membership covers a very broad set of uses.

    Common mistake

    Not checking the current membership category and fees. SIAE's tiers and costs change — confirm the up-to-date schedule on their site rather than relying on old figures.

    3

    Register Your Works

    Declare each composition through the SIAE online portal:

  • Title (match your DSP metadata exactly)
  • Duration
  • Your role (composer, lyricist, arranger)
  • Co-writer details and split percentages
  • ISRC codes for each recording
    • SIAE Online Portal →
    Why this matters

    SIAE pays only on declared works. Italy is a major European market — unregistered compositions generate royalties that cannot be matched to you.

    Common mistake

    Omitting ISRCs. Italian streaming and broadcast reporting uses the ISRC to match a recording back to your declared work.

    After you register

    Since EU liberalization, SIAE is no longer Italy's only option — Soundreef/LEA is a competing collecting society. You can only mandate one for the same rights, so compare before committing. SIAE covers compositions only; recording artists also need a neighbouring rights society.

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