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Music Publishers

Generally in the music industry, a music publisher is responsible for ensuring that the composers and songwriters receive payment when their compositions are distributed commercially.  Through a written agreement, commonly know as a publishing contract, a composer or songwriter assigns the copyright of their composition to a publishing company or a music publisher.  In return, the publishing company or a music publisher licenses compositions made either by a composer or songwriter.  The publishing company also monitors where the compositions are used and collects royalties and distributes them to the composers.  One of the most important forms of intellectual property in the music industry is copyright which the publishing companies own and administrates.  The other is the copyright on a master recording which is typically owned by the recording company.  Music publisher plays a central role in managing this vital asset.   Music publishers typically handle copyright registration and ownership matters for the composer.


Inside Music Publishers