Music Publishing 101
Music Publishing refers to the business of song copyrights. Under copyright law, a songwriter owns their work the moment it’s written down. Therefore, you can only transfer those rights by signing a written agreement.
A songwriter is self-published until signing a publishing deal or contract. So it’s essential to understand how to handle your own business from the start.
TYPES OF MUSIC COPYRIGHT
Master Rights
When an artist owns their master rights, they own the copyright to the original recordings of their song. When you own master rights, you’ll earn royalties whenever the song is streamed, broadcasted, downloaded, etc. Usually a record label or the artist themselves own the master.
Publishing Rights
Publishing rights are rights to the structure and composition of a song. The composition or publishing rights are usually owned by the original writer or composer/producer of a record.
WHAT DOES A MUSIC PUBLISHER DO?
A Music Publisher represents songwriters or composers to ensure you get paid all of the royalties they earn.
The sources of income from a song’s copyright have changed drastically throughout the years. Income sources now include streaming services, mechanicals, digital downloads, live performances, remixes, samples, commercials, and so much more! It’s a music publisher’s job to make sure you get paid everything you’re owed.
HOW OFTEN DO MUSIC PUBLISHERS PAY ROYALTIES?
A music publisher usually pays the songwriter royalties several times a year. However, most publishing deals payout quarterly, larger publishers may even pay an advance to the writers and can take anywhere from 15-50% of royalties.
TYPES OF ROYALTIES
Performing Royalties
In a nutshell, Performance Royalties are paid from the performance of a copyrighted song. Generally, when you register a song with a Performance Rights Organization (PROs) like BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC in the U.S (PRS in the UK) they will split the performance royalty in half between songwriter royalties and publishing royalties. Every country has their own PRO so it can be get very complex when collecting royalties, that's why it's good to have a publisher with a great Neighboring Rights team.
Mechanical Royalties
Mechanical Royalties are owed from the composition copyright of a song. Royalty payment have expanded to online sales including generated streams on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. Mechanical royalties are collected by the Harry Fox Agency, which in turn pays your music publisher.
Sync Licensing Royalties
Sync royalties are when music is “synched” with a visual. For example, when it is used in a TV, film, video game, or advertisement.
Print Music Royalties
Print Music Royalties are not common nowadays. Nonetheless, they are generated when copyrighted music is transcribed to a print piece. This includes sheet music that is then distributed through a music publisher.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SEEKING A MUSIC PUBLISHER
When looking for a music publisher, you’ll have to keep all of the above in mind!
Publishing deals have to do with more than just the money, it's ALL about the relationship. Ultimately, the songwriter is trading a share of something that they already 100% own from the copyright. Therefore, it’s crucial to fully assess any exchanges being made between both parties.
Music Publishing 101
Music Publishing refers to the business of song copyrights. Under copyright law, a songwriter owns their work the moment it’s written down. Therefore, you can only transfer those rights by signing a written agreement.
A songwriter is self-published until signing a publishing deal or contract. So it’s essential to understand how to handle your own business from the start.
TYPES OF MUSIC COPYRIGHT
Master Rights
When an artist owns their master rights, they own the copyright to the original recordings of their song. When you own master rights, you’ll earn royalties whenever the song is streamed, broadcasted, downloaded, etc. Usually a record label or the artist themselves own the master.
Publishing Rights
Publishing rights are rights to the structure and composition of a song. The composition or publishing rights are usually owned by the original writer or composer/producer of a record.
WHAT DOES A MUSIC PUBLISHER DO?
A Music Publisher represents songwriters or composers to ensure you get paid all of the royalties they earn.
The sources of income from a song’s copyright have changed drastically throughout the years. Income sources now include streaming services, mechanicals, digital downloads, live performances, remixes, samples, commercials, and so much more! It’s a music publisher’s job to make sure you get paid everything you’re owed.
HOW OFTEN DO MUSIC PUBLISHERS PAY ROYALTIES?
A music publisher usually pays the songwriter royalties several times a year. However, most publishing deals payout quarterly, larger publishers may even pay an advance to the writers and can take anywhere from 15-50% of royalties.
TYPES OF ROYALTIES
Performing Royalties
In a nutshell, Performance Royalties are paid from the performance of a copyrighted song. Generally, when you register a song with a Performance Rights Organization (PROs) like BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC in the U.S (PRS in the UK) they will split the performance royalty in half between songwriter royalties and publishing royalties. Every country has their own PRO so it can be get very complex when collecting royalties, that's why it's good to have a publisher with a great Neighboring Rights team.
Mechanical Royalties
Mechanical Royalties are owed from the composition copyright of a song. Royalty payment have expanded to online sales including generated streams on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. Mechanical royalties are collected by the Harry Fox Agency, which in turn pays your music publisher.
Sync Licensing Royalties
Sync royalties are when music is “synched” with a visual. For example, when it is used in a TV, film, video game, or advertisement.
Print Music Royalties
Print Music Royalties are not common nowadays. Nonetheless, they are generated when copyrighted music is transcribed to a print piece. This includes sheet music that is then distributed through a music publisher.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SEEKING A MUSIC PUBLISHER
When looking for a music publisher, you’ll have to keep all of the above in mind!
Publishing deals have to do with more than just the money, it's ALL about the relationship. Ultimately, the songwriter is trading a share of something that they already 100% own from the copyright. Therefore, it’s crucial to fully assess any exchanges being made between both parties.