The Complete Guide to Music Publishing Rights and Royalties

The world of music publishing can seem complex and confusing, but it's essential for anyone looking to earn money from their music to understand how it all works. In this guide, we'll break down the basics of music publishing rights and royalties and answer some commonly asked questions about the topic.

First, let's talk about what royalties a music publisher collects. When you write a song, you own the copyright to it, which gives you the right to control how it's used and make money from it. A music publisher helps you get your music out there and collects royalties on your behalf. These royalties can come from various sources, including radio airplay, streaming services, and live performances.

One crucial term you might hear in music publishing is "50/50 publishing rights." This refers to an agreement between a songwriter and a publisher, where both parties split the rights to the song 50/50. In this arrangement, the songwriter retains ownership of the copyright, but the publisher helps to promote and monetise the song.

Now, let's discuss the difference between publishing and royalties. Publishing refers to promoting and licensing music, while royalties are the payments made to the copyright owner when their music is used. So, a music publisher is responsible for collecting royalties on behalf of the copyright owner.

Finally, let's touch on the difference between master and publishing rights. Master rights refer to the rights to a specific recording of a song, while publishing rights refer to the rights to the underlying composition of the song. So, if you're a songwriter, you own the publishing rights to your song, while the producer or record label owns the master rights to the specific recording.

In conclusion, understanding music publishing rights and royalties is crucial for anyone looking to make money from their music. By working with a music publisher, you can ensure that you're getting paid for your work and that your music is being promoted and licensed correctly. By understanding terms like 50/50 publishing rights and master vs. publishing rights, you can make informed decisions about protecting and monetising your music.