What is Music Publishing and Who Can Collect Publishing Royalties?

Music publishing is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of the music industry, yet it’s also one of the most important. Even if you have a general understanding of recordings, releases, and distribution, publishing is tied to the underlying composition itself and follows a different set of rules. For many artists and songwriters, understanding the world of publishing is often the difference between earning royalties on their songs and fully leaving that money uncollected.

To ensure you have all the information needed to get this right, this article breaks down what music publishing is, the rights involved, and who can collect publishing royalties as straightforwardly as possible. If you’re ready to understand how your music can make you money, let’s dive in…

Music Publishing Explained: Key Takeaways

• Music publishing applies to the song composition (lyrics and melody), not the recording.

• Publishing royalties include performance, mechanical, and synchronization royalties.

• Songwriters earn publishing income only if songs are properly registered.

• Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and the MLC collect different royalty types.

• Publishing administrators help collect royalties without taking ownership.

  
  

What is Music Publishing? 

Music publishing is all about the underlying musical composition. Not the recording, not the release, and not the platform where the music lives, but the underlying song that was written.

Every song is made up of two separate parts. The first is the musical composition, which includes the lyrics and melody. The second is the sound recording, which is a specific recorded version of that song.

Music publishing only applies to the composition. A song doesn’t lose its publishing just because it’s recorded again or used in a different way. The publishing stays attached to the original song. For example, the same song can be recorded by different artists or used in different projects, but the publishing always follows the original song that was written.

This also means that because publishing is connected to the song itself, publishing rights determine who owns the composition and who earns royalties when that song is used in the world, no matter how or where it appears.

What Rights Are Included in Music Publishing?

Music publishing includes several different types of rights, each connected to a specific way a song can be used. These rights are what determine when a song earns publishing royalties. At a high level, music publishing is made up of three main types of rights:

• Performance rights

• Mechanical rights

• Synchronization rights

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Each of these applies to a different use of a song. For example: 

• Performance rights apply when a song is performed publicly. This includes radio airplay, live performances, music played in public spaces, and digital performances on streaming platforms. When a song is used this way, it generates performance royalties for the songwriters and publishers.

  
  

• Mechanical rights apply when a song is reproduced or distributed. This includes physical formats like vinyl and CDs, as well as digital downloads and interactive streaming. Each reproduction of a song triggers mechanical royalties tied to the composition.

  
  

• Synchronization rights apply when a song is paired with visual media. This includes film, television, advertisements, video games, and online content. Sync income typically includes an upfront license fee, and in some cases, additional publishing royalties depending on how the song is used.

  
  

Who Is Entitled to Publishing Royalties?

Publishing royalties are earned by the people and entities that own the musical composition, which usually starts with the songwriters.

Anyone who contributes to a song’s lyrics or melody is considered a songwriter and is entitled to a share of the song’s publishing. When a song has multiple writers, publishing royalties are divided based on agreed-upon ownership splits.

💡 Helpful Hint: Rights determine when a song can earn money. Royalties are the money earned from those uses.

However, being entitled to publishing royalties doesn’t mean they’re just paid automatically… Publishing royalties are collected through different organizations depending on how a song is used, and songs must be properly registered for those royalties to be tracked and paid out. This means songwriters and publishers typically need to be registered with performance rights organizations, mechanical royalty collection agencies, and other publishing-related entities to ensure they receive the royalties they’re owed.

 Now, who are these people, you may be wondering… Let’s break it down.

Who Collects Publishing Royalties? (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc…)

Publishing royalties are collected by different organizations, depending on how a song is used. There isn’t a single company or platform that collects all publishing income.

For performance royalties, songwriters and publishers typically register with a performance rights organization (PRO). In the U.S., this includes organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR. PROs track public performances of songs and distribute performance royalties to the rights holders.

For mechanical royalties, collection depends on how and where a song is used. In the U.S., digital mechanical royalties are collected and distributed by the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). Outside the U.S., mechanical royalties are usually collected by local mechanical rights organizations in each territory.

Synchronization income works differently from performance and mechanical royalties. Sync fees are typically paid directly by the party licensing the song, often through a publisher or licensing representative, rather than through a central collection organization.

ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC are U.S.-based performance rights organizations (PROs) that track public performances of songs and pay performance royalties to songwriters and publishers.

Because publishing royalties are collected across multiple systems and territories, many artists and songwriters choose to work with a publisher or publishing administrator to help manage registrations, track usage, and collect royalties worldwide. – For independent artists who want support without giving up ownership.

Music Publishers vs Publishing Administrators: What’s the Difference?

So now that you understand how everything is collected, the real question is what method makes the most sense for you. 

• A music publisher typically works with songwriters under a publishing deal and takes ownership of a portion of the song’s publishing. In exchange, publishers may help with royalty collection, licensing, and creative opportunities, including pitching songs for placements. This type of deal is often geared toward songwriters who are focused on writing for other artists, film, TV, or commercial projects.

• A publishing administrator focuses on the administrative side of publishing without taking ownership of the song. Publishing administrators help manage tasks like registering songs, tracking usage, and collecting publishing royalties across different organizations and territories. This option works well if you do not require pitching services and only require someone to assist you in the collection of royalties.

  
  

In simple terms: If you’re looking for creative partnerships and placements, a traditional publisher may make sense. —  If you’re looking for help managing publishing while keeping ownership, a publishing administrator is usually the better option.

Now, let’s be clear… This doesn’t replace everything. Songwriters still need to affiliate with a performance rights organization, like ASCAP or BMI, in order to utilize a publishing administrator. Our publishing administration just helps manage the broader collection process and reduces the complexity of collecting publishing income globally.

If you want help managing publishing without giving up ownership or creative control, our Pub Admin service is a great option to simplify the process while you keep the royalties you’re rightfully owed. 

Final Thoughts…

Understanding how publishing works, what you’re entitled to, and how royalties are collected puts you in a stronger position as an artist or songwriter, even if you don’t handle every detail yourself.

The most important thing to remember is that publishing isn’t automatic. Songs only earn publishing royalties when the right systems are in place, and taking the time to understand your options can make a meaningful difference over the long term. Whether you choose to manage your publishing independently or work with a partner, this is just another step toward building a sustainable career on your own terms. And with the right tools at your disposal, you’re already ahead of the game.