| Today's Music Publisher |
How important a role does the music publisher play in the music industry of today? A crucial one. Music publishers are responsible for actively promoting a songwriter's talents; placing songs with artists for performances; securing synchronization deals for film or TV usages; and collecting worldwide publishing royalties on the songwriter's behalf. A music publisher in essence takes care of a songwriter's music business, allowing the music creator to focus on what he does best: creating. The successful songwriter can receive income through the three main types of royalties: mechanical, performance, and synchronization.
A mechanical royalty is earned for any "phonorecord" (including CDs, tapes, vinyl, and digital downloads) that is manufactured and distributed with a copyrighted song on it. A performance royalty was originally paid when the song was performed live in public; today it also includes when a song has been broadcast on radio, on TV, in a film, or over the Internet. A synchronization royalty is paid when the song is synchronized with visual media, like television programs, commercials, and films.
In most co-publishing deals, the music publisher is traditionally paid 50% of the "publisher's share" of royalty income from mechanical and synchronization royalties. Performance income is typically collected by a performing rights organization (BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC being the principle organizations in the U.S.); a music publisher usually receives 25% of that income.
Regardless of its size, any reputable music publisher will fight to make sure its writers are adequately and fairly compensated for the use of their copyrights. The NMPA remains devoted to that same ideal. |
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| Add your voice to those of many other American music publishers. |
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