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Understanding music publishing is crucial for artists looking to make their music a viable long-term career. This comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of music publishing and how it can become a lucrative revenue stream for artists.

Understanding Music Copyright

Music copyright is the legal right granted to the creator of a song. There are two distinct copyrights for every track:

1. The Sound Recording (Master Rights): This refers to the copyright of the original sound recordings, often owned by the artist or the record label.
2. The Composition (Publishing Rights): This covers the musical elements, structure, and composition of a song, typically owned by the songwriter or composer.

The Role of Music Publishing

Music publishing deals with the royalties generated by a song’s composition. A music publisher represents songwriters or composers, managing and paying out royalties from their compositions.

Types of Royalties Collected by Music Publishers:

• Performing Royalties: Generated from live performances, including concerts, festivals, and radio plays.
• Mechanical Royalties: Stemming from manufacturing physical copies (CDs, vinyl) and digital streams/downloads.
• Sync Licensing Royalties: Earned when a song is used in AV media (advertisements, films, video games).

The Process of Music Publishing

Music publishing revolves around how a song is used – copied, sold, performed, or broadcast. An independent musician might attempt to claim some of these royalties without a publisher, but it's a complex and challenging task. This complexity arises from the numerous organizations globally responsible for different royalty sources.

The Importance of a Music Publisher

Music publishers have established relationships with Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) and mechanical rights collection societies worldwide. They possess the expertise to track down every potential source of royalties, ensuring that artists receive what they're owed.

What is a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)?

A PRO collects performing royalties on behalf of composers and songwriters. Examples include PRS in the UK or ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the USA. PROs do not collect mechanical royalties, which are managed by different organizations like MCPS in the UK or MLC and Harry Fox in the USA.

Music Publisher vs. Performing Rights Organization

While PROs are responsible for licensing and collecting performing royalties, music publishers also handle mechanical rights and sync licensing. They reduce costs by grouping copyrights together, negotiating, and licensing to digital services, broadcasters, and venues.

Finding a Music Publisher

To claim all owed royalties, an artist can sign up with a music publisher, who will handle:

• Registering music with PROs and mechanical rights societies.
• Collecting all types of royalties globally.
• Pitching music for sync placements.

Conclusion

Music publishing is an integral part of the music industry, vital for ensuring that artists are compensated for their creative work. By understanding and leveraging the services of music publishers and PROs, artists can maximize their income and secure their financial future in the music industry.

FAQs

Q: Can I manage my publishing rights independently?A: While possible, managing publishing rights independently is complex. Partnering with a music publisher can provide expertise and access to a broader network for royalty collection.

Q: What steps should I take to protect my composition?A: Ensure your music is copyrighted and registered with the relevant PROs and mechanical rights societies, either independently or through a music publisher.

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