Dark Lab Records Publishing | Music Publishing 101

Understanding Music Publishing

Music publishing refers to the rights associated with the composition of a song, which includes the melody, lyrics, and musical arrangement. It’s essential to understand that this is separate from the recording of a song (known as a master recording), and the focus here will be on royalties from compositions only.

Types of Royalties:

A song generates several types of royalties. Here are the key ones:

1. Performance Royalties

   • These are paid to the songwriter or copyright holder whenever a song is publicly performed. This includes performances on:
     • Radio (traditional and satellite)
     • Television (commercials, shows, films)
     • Digital Services (Spotify, YouTube)
     • Concerts and Live Performances
   • Performance royalties are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and PRS.

2. Mechanical Royalties

   • These are earned when a song is "reproduced" or distributed, either physically or digitally. This covers:
     • Streaming (Spotify, Apple Music)
     • Digital Downloads (iTunes, Amazon)
     • Physical Sales (CDs, vinyl)
   • Mechanical royalties are generally collected by mechanical rights organizations, such as The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) in the U.S.

Distinguishing Performance and Mechanical Royalties

• Performance royalties are tied to the public performance of a composition.
• Mechanical royalties are tied to the reproduction of a composition (through sales or streams).

Historically, mechanical royalties were established because music was reproduced for sale through "machines" (e.g., player pianos, then CDs, and now digital streaming services).

Organizations You Should Know:

There are two main categories of royalties, and they are handled by different organizations:

• PROs: Performance Rights Organizations collect performance royalties. Examples include ASCAP, BMI, PRS, etc.
• Mechanical Rights Organizations: These organizations handle the collection of mechanical royalties, such as The MLC in the U.S.

Writer's Share vs. Publisher's Share:

When your song generates a performance royalty, it’s split into two parts:

• Writer's Share: This is the portion paid directly to you as the songwriter by your PRO.
• Publisher's Share: This is the portion collected by the music publisher on your behalf.

Without a publisher or publishing administrator (such as Dark Lab Records Publishing), you would miss out on the publisher's share. A publishing administrator ensures these royalties are collected and paid to you.

Why Publishing Matters

• As a songwriter, it’s crucial to ensure you're collecting all the royalties you are owed, both performance and mechanical.
• By signing with Dark Lab Records Publishing, we ensure that all the publisher’s share of your royalties is properly collected and distributed to you.
• Understanding your rights as a copyright owner and how to collect royalties is essential for long-term success in your music career.

Next Steps:

To take control of your publishing royalties, ensure you're signed up with a PRO, and work with a trusted publishing administrator like Dark Lab Records Publishing to collect your publisher's share. It's your right to receive these royalties for the compositions you create.

Dark Lab Records Publishing is here to help you maximize your publishing income and empower you to manage your music rights effectively. Reach out to us to start collecting all the royalties you deserve!