SIAE Music Program: The Definitive Guide for Professional DJs (2026)
In brief:
- The SIAE music program is the official document listing the tracks performed during an event
- It is mandatory for all events featuring copyrighted music
- It must be completed and submitted within 20 days of the event
- The difference between "music program" and "borderò" is only terminological: they are the same document
- EasyBordero automates completion in 3 minutes by importing the playlist from your DJ software
What is the SIAE Music Program
The SIAE music program is the official document through which a DJ, musician, or event organizer communicates to SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers) the complete list of tracks performed during a public event.
The music program helps SIAE calculate and distribute royalties owed to the authors and publishers of the musical works used. Without this document, authors do not receive the rights due to them by law.
In Italy, the completion of the music program is an obligation under L. 633/1941 (Italian Copyright Law) and the SIAE Regulation for the distribution of proceeds.
Difference Between Music Program and Borderò
The music program and the SIAE borderò are essentially the same document. The difference is only terminological:
- Music program is the official term used by SIAE in its documentation and on its portal
- Borderò (or bordereau) is the colloquial term used in the music industry, derived from French
When a DJ or an organizer talks about "filling out the borderò", they are referring exactly to completing the music program on the SIAE portal. The two terms are interchangeable.
| Term | Usage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Music program | Official SIAE | List of tracks performed during an event |
| Borderò / Bordereau | Colloquial | Same document, term used in the industry |
| Bollettino di programma | Historical | Previous term, still used by some |
When the Music Program is an Obligation
The SIAE music program is an obligation for any event involving the performance of copyrighted music:
- DJ sets in discos and nightclubs — each evening event requires a distinct music program
- Concerts and music festivals — for both solo artists and lineups with multiple DJs
- Weddings and receptions — when music is performed by a professional DJ or musician
- Corporate events — conventions, gala dinners, presentations with live music or DJs
- Village festivals, fairs, and town parties — any event open to the public
- Venues with live background music — bars, restaurants with DJ sets
Who must complete it?
The responsibility for completing the music program falls on:
- The event organizer — is the primary responsible party
- The DJ or musician — as the performer, is required to provide the tracklist
- The venue manager — for recurring events at their venue
In practice, in most cases, it is the professional DJ who completes the music program, as they are the only one who knows exactly which tracks were played during the set.
Deadlines
The music program must be submitted to SIAE within 20 days from the event date. Adhering to this deadline is crucial to avoid administrative penalties that can amount to up to EUR 5,164 under Art. 174 of L. 633/1941 (Italian Copyright Law).
How to Complete the Music Program
Required data for each track
For each track performed during the event, the music program requires:
- Title of the work — the exact title as registered in the SIAE catalog
- Author(s) — first and last name of the authors (composers and lyricists)
- Publisher — the music publishing house that manages the rights
- SIAE work code — the unique identification code in the SIAE catalog
- Duration of performance — the actual performance time of the track
Manual completion on the SIAE portal
The manual procedure involves:
- Accessing the SIAE portal with your credentials
- Navigating to the "Programmi Musicali" (Music Programs) section
- Creating a new music program
- Entering event details (date, location, event type, capacity)
- Adding each individual track by searching the SIAE catalog
- Verifying and confirming the entered data
- Submitting the music program
Average manual completion time: 45-90 minutes for a standard DJ set of 50 tracks. Searching the SIAE catalog is the longest phase, because track titles in the catalog often do not exactly match those displayed in DJ software.
Automated completion with EasyBordero
EasyBordero reduces the entire process to 3 steps:
- Import — Upload the playlist exported from your DJ software (Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, VirtualDJ)
- Verify — The fuzzy matching engine automatically identifies each track in the SIAE catalog with a success rate exceeding 95%
- Submit — With one click, the music program is completed and sent to the SIAE portal
| Method | Time (50 tracks) | Accuracy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIAE Portal (manual) | 45-90 min | Depends on operator | Free |
| EasyBordero (automatic) | 3 min | Over 95% match | From EUR 0/month |
A professional DJ who plays 4 evening events a week and uses EasyBordero saves approximately 12-16 hours per month of administrative work, time that can be dedicated to set preparation and music research.
Common Errors in Completion
The 5 most frequent errors when completing the SIAE music program:
- Incorrect title — Entering the remix title instead of the original (e.g., "Song Title - Club Mix" when it's registered as "Song Title" in the SIAE catalog)
- Wrong author — Confusing the artist who performs the track with the author who wrote it
- Track not found — Not finding the track in the catalog because it's registered with a different title or in a different language
- Missing tracks — Forgetting to include tracks played briefly or during mixes
- Deadline exceeded — Submitting the music program more than 20 days after the event
Supported DJ Software
EasyBordero supports importing playlists from all major DJ software:
- Rekordbox (Pioneer DJ) — Export the tracklist in TXT format from the History section
- Serato DJ — Export the session from the History panel in CSV format
- Traktor (Native Instruments) — Export the collection or history in NML/CSV format
- VirtualDJ — Export the tracklist from the History panel in TXT or CSV format
- Excel/CSV Files — Any tabular format with title and artist columns
For detailed export guides, see:
Related articles:
- Complete guide to the SIAE borderò — the practical step-by-step guide
- SIAE Penalties: what you risk
- All SIAE obligations for DJs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SIAE music program?
The SIAE music program is the official document that lists all the tracks performed during a public event. It helps SIAE calculate and distribute royalties to the authors and publishers of the musical works used.
Are the music program and the borderò the same thing?
Yes. "Music program" is the official term used by SIAE, while "borderò" is the colloquial term used in the industry. They refer to the same document.
By when must I complete the music program?
The music program must be submitted within 20 days from the event date. Delay can result in administrative penalties of up to EUR 5,164.
Do I need to complete a music program for every event?
Yes. Every event featuring copyrighted music requires a separate music program, even if it's the same venue and the same tracks.
How do I find the SIAE work code for a track?
The work code can be found by searching for the track in the SIAE catalog (available on the SIAE portal). EasyBordero performs this search automatically via fuzzy matching, identifying the correct track even when the title does not exactly match.
Is the music program also mandatory for private events?
Yes, if the event involves music performed by a professional and the musical works are copyrighted. This includes weddings, private parties, and corporate events with DJs or musicians.
How much does it cost to complete the music program?
The completion itself is free if done manually on the SIAE portal. EasyBordero offers a free plan with 3 music programs per month, and a Pro plan at EUR 9.99/year for unlimited completions.
Can I delegate the completion to an agency?
Yes. Many DJ agencies and venue managers complete music programs on behalf of their DJs. EasyBordero supports this mode with the Agency plan, which includes multi-DJ management and delegations with an audit log.