SoundExchange collects and distributes the digital public performance royalty, which means performers and labels get paid for digital plays of their music. In 1995, Congress passed Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act, which granted a performance right for the digital transmission of sound recordings. Previously, US copyright law contained no provisions for performance right in sound recordings. SoundExchange is the designated non-profit organization that collects the license fees and distributes royalties to those whose recordings were played digitally. Payees include the performer, non-featured artists and the sound recording copyright owner (most often, a label). read more