Owning your music publishing is often compared to owning real estate in the music business because, like real estate, music publishing rights can be a valuable and long-lasting asset that can generate income. Just as a property owner can rent or sell their real estate, a music publisher can license or sell the rights to their musical works for various uses, such as in film, television, commercials, and live performances. Over time, the value of a successful music catalog can increase, much like real estate can appreciate in value.
Additionally, like real estate, the ownership of music publishing rights can be transferred, assigned, or sold, providing a valuable source of revenue for the copyright holder. This is why many successful songwriters and musicians place a high value on owning their music publishing and control over their rights.
In short, owning your music publishing gives you control over a valuable asset that can generate income over time and provide financial stability in the music business.
Musicians can generate publishing revenue through a variety of sources. Here are some common ways:
- Performance royalties: Musicians receive performance royalties every time their music is performed in public, such as on the radio, in live venues, or on TV.
- Mechanical royalties: Musicians receive mechanical royalties when their music is recorded and sold on CDs, vinyl, or other physical formats, as well as through digital downloads and streams.
- Synchronization royalties: Musicians receive synchronization royalties when their music is used in a TV show, film, commercial, or video game.
- Public performance royalties from streaming services: Musicians receive public performance royalties from streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, when their music is streamed by listeners.
- Print royalties: Musicians receive print royalties for sheet music sales, when their music is published in books or anthologies.
- Sampling royalties: Musicians receive sampling royalties when their music is used as the basis for another artist’s song.
- International royalties: Musicians can receive international royalties for the use of their music in other countries, through international performance rights organizations and other licensing agencies.
It’s important to note that to receive royalties, musicians must have a legal claim to their music publishing rights, and must be registered with the appropriate organizations, such as performing rights organizations (PROs) and mechanical rights organizations. A music lawyer or industry professional can provide guidance on how to maximize publishing revenue and protect your rights as a musician
