Part 1, On Forest Lane

Songwriting

Recording

Register the composition

1. Check with your own society whether the song is registered as a work, with every writer and their split.
2. If it is not, register it (title, writers, splits, IPI numbers) or ask your publisher or administrator to do it.
3. Ask for the ISWC once it is assigned and add it to your distributor's metadata.
4. In countries where you have no sub-publisher, check the work reached the local society; if not, ask your society to send it or claim it there.
5. Ask each society for back-payment of the periods they still allow you to claim.

Register the recording for neighbouring rights

1. Get the ISRC of the recording from your distributor or label.
2. Join the neighbouring-rights society of each country where the track is played (performers and producers can join).
3. Declare the recording with its ISRC and your role (featured, session, producer).
4. Claim the periods still open; in the US, also search SoundExchange's unclaimed list.