MUSIC PUBLISHING
GLOSSARY

Music Publishing

The business of acquiring, protecting, and promoting song (composition) copyrights and collecting the royalties that these copyrights generate. Music publishing ensures that songwriters get paid fairly when their intellectual property—their musical works—are used by companies such as record labels (which pay mechanical royalties); radio stations, bars, and restaurants (which pay performance royalties); or film studios and advertising agencies (which pay sync license fees), among others. Music publishing pays royalties only to the writer of a song, not to performing artists or recording owners. 

Related Terms:

• Royalties
• Publishing Administrator
• Major Publishers
• Independent Publishers

Related Articles:

• The Power of Music Publishing
• Help Center: Music Publishing

Related Resources:

• Modern Guide to Music Publishing

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