Music Publishing Income

Music Publishing Income, When it comes to music, many people think that those involved in the process simply earn money by consumers purchasing their songs (on iTunes and other legal downloading systems). In fact, the producers, songwriters, and singers monetize their work through specific types of income. These songs are, at the discretion of the music publishers, distributed through radio, TV, digital downloads, physical copies, concerts, media, ringtones, and many more. Moreover, the different types of songs produced, either one performed on stage or in a film soundtrack, have different rights attached to them. These rights then carry on to how publishers monetize these songs for those involved in the process. The essential sources of income include mechanical royalties, performance income, and synchronization income.

Mechanical Royalties

This source of income is related to mechanical licenses. With mechanical licensing, the publisher earns income by allowing others to use copyrighted material in order to make CDs, records, tapes, and others. Therefore, the musical composition is being licensed to others. The income received from mechanical royalties is shared evenly between the songwriter(s) and publisher(s).

Performance Income

A song can earn money by having a “grand” or “small” performance. A grand performance requires the song to be performed in a dramatic or theatrical production. A small performance refers to the song being performed on TV, radio, bar, or at a restaurant. This income is received through performance rights organizations that manage licenses and incomes.

Synchronization Income

This income refers to a right under Copyright law, which is of the music publisher. The ensuing income is shared equally between the music publisher and writer of the song. This income refers to the right to control how the song is used with visual images in a production of film or TV, or in a TV radio commercial, or a video game. Therefore, in order for a production to legally use a song, they must receive a license from the publisher beforehand.