Songwriting & Publishing Royalties

Songwriting & Publishing Royalties Category: Music

When you think of the word "Publishing", most people think of "Books", and that a Publisher, sells books. Well, at one time there were no records or tapes, let alone CDs, Videocassettes and DVDs. Originally, people received all their music in the form of Sheet Music, that is, printed documents that contained words and notes of songs that allowed people to stand around a piano and sing with their friends and relatives.

Sheet Music still sells, [as well as Books of Sheet Music, known as "folios"] but this is a very small part of one of the most profitable parts of the Music Business. Songwriters and Music Publishers also can make sizable amounts of money worldwide from

1. Sale of Records, Tapes, CDs, DVDs, Videocassettes, etc. - anything containing Songs played on a mechanical device, and therefore called "Mechanicals".

2. Radio & TV [including Cable] Performances also known as "Airplay". This also includes "Jukeboxes", live and taped performances at restaurants, clubs, bars, hotels, casinos, health spas, etc., etc.

3. "Synchronization Rights" [when Songs are synchronized with Film and TV Movies, etc.]

4. Commercials [I bet you've noticed that advertisers are going more to Songs than Jingles, lately]

5. "Elevator Music" [when U hear Songs played in an elevator, supermarket, when "on hold" with a telephone, etc.]

6. Computer Chips, Computer Programs, Cell Phones [RING TONES - 600 million dollars last year!], Video Games

7. Etc., [including any new forms of technology and formats that seem to be appearing monthly!]

Simply put, whenever a Song is performed, no matter who performs it, the Songwriter and Publisher could [should] benefit! It is also the Music Business's best-kept secret- how it is possible to sometimes make quite a lot of money, with very little time and effort - IF you know how to play the game. Therefore, there's a lot of competition for publishing rights- and the money that goes with it.

Today, many Songwriters and Producers, as well as many others in the Music Business have their own Publishing Companies, something unheard of 30 years ago, because they want the publishing rights and the money that goes with them.

[You may Re-Post This! It was "Stolen" from my Music Publishing Course available on my Web Site...]

(c) 1984-2006 David J. Spangenberg