What Is a Digital Service Provider (DSP)?

A digital service provider (DSP) is a platform where people stream or download music. Examples include Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music. A music distributor delivers song recordings to DSPs.

When someone streams or downloads a song on a DSP, the use may generate royalties for the musical composition (the underlying song, including its lyrics and melody) and for the sound recording. Songtrust helps songwriters and publishers register compositions and collect eligible mechanical royalties and performance royalties through its global publishing administration network. These are publishing royalties and are separate from royalties for owning or distributing the sound recording.

For a Spotify-specific explanation, download our guide to how to get paid royalties from Spotify.

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What Is a Digital Service Provider (DSP)?

An online platform where listeners stream or download music.