Authored by Audiolancer • 1/11/2025

Understanding Publishing Rights: A Guide to Protecting Your Compositions

When people talk about “music rights,” they often focus on the sound recording. But there’s another, equally crucial layer—the publishing rights. These rights protect the musical composition itself: the melodies, chord progressions, and lyrics that form the core of any track. Here’s what you need to know about how publishing rights work, why they matter, and how to ensure you get paid for your creativity.

1. Publishing Rights vs. Recording Rights

A song actually has two sets of rights:

1. Publishing Rights: Cover the composition—the notes, melody, and words.
2. Master Recording Rights: Protect the actual recorded performance.

Organizations like PRS for Music (in the UK) focus on collecting royalties from the composition side, while PPL handles royalties for the sound recording side.

2. Performance and Mechanical Royalties

When your composition is played on the radio, streamed online, or performed at a gig, that’s a “performance” in legal terms. PRS for Music collects performance royalties on your behalf. Meanwhile, if your track is reproduced—whether it’s printed sheet music, digital downloads, or CDs—that’s a mechanical usage, generally handled by MCPS. In many cases, both performance and mechanical royalties come into play if your music is streamed online.

3. Registering Your Music

To receive royalties, you need to register your compositions:

• Accurate Metadata: Include the song title, all writers, their respective shares, and identifiers like an ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code).
• Timely Registration: The earlier you register, the sooner you can start collecting. Delays in registration can mean missed royalties.

4. Self-Publishing vs. Working with a Publisher

Some artists opt to self-publish, handling all the admin and collecting royalties directly. Others sign with a publishing company:

• Publishing Deals: Publishers handle licensing, royalty management, and pitching your music for film, TV, and ads. In return, they take a percentage of the publishing revenue.
• Co-Writing & Split Agreements: If you co-write, make sure everyone agrees on their split shares from the start. This prevents disputes and ensures everyone’s properly credited and compensated.

5. International Collections

Music travels worldwide, and so do royalties. Through reciprocal agreements, PRS for Music collects from foreign territories if your track is played abroad. Keep your registrations up to date and ensure your metadata is consistent across all platforms—this reduces the risk of missed international royalties.

6. Broadening Your Revenue Streams

Publishing rights are just one pillar of music income. You can also explore:

• Sync Licensing: Registering your compositions with licensing agencies to score placements in ads, film, or TV.
• Track Sales: Platforms like Audiolancer let you sell vocal or instrumental stems from your compositions, extending your earning potential.
• Sample Pack Downloads: Audiolancer also allows you to license your samples as one-shots and loops by contributing them to the royalty-free sample library. You will get paid for each download.
• Live Shows & Merchandise: Classic but effective means of creating a stable fan base and additional revenue.

7. Why It All Matters

Publishing rights ensure that songwriters and composers receive fair payment for their creative work. If you neglect to register with a performing rights organization or don’t handle splits properly, you risk forfeiting potential earnings. Whether you’re a seasoned songwriter or just starting out, understanding publishing is a key step toward a sustainable music career.

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Final Thoughts From chart-topping pop writers to indie singer-songwriters, publishing rights are the lifeblood of sustaining musical creativity. By registering your work with PRS for Music (and MCPS), keeping your metadata in order, and exploring additional channels like sync licensing or sample pack sales, you’ll lay the groundwork for ongoing, reliable royalties. It’s not just about protecting what you’ve created—it’s about giving your music the best chance to thrive, reach new ears, and generate income worldwide.