The process begins with a songwriter creating a musical composition, which includes the melody, lyrics, and arrangement.
2. Copyright Registration:
The songwriter registers the copyright for the musical composition with the appropriate copyright office in their country. This establishes legal ownership of the music.
3. Demo Recording:
A demo recording is created to showcase the song and capture the essence of the composition. This is usually a simple recording, featuring the songwriter performing the song with an acoustic guitar or piano.
4. Music Publishing Agreement:
The songwriter enters into a music publishing agreement with a music publisher. The publisher acts as a representative for the songwriter, managing and exploiting their musical works. The publisher may provide advance payments, royalties, and assist in promoting and distributing the music.
5. Licensing:
The music publisher licenses the musical composition for various uses, such as:
- Mechanical licenses: These allow for the reproduction of the music in physical formats like CDs or digital downloads.
- Synchronization licenses: These grant permission for the use of the music in synchronization with visual media, such as films, TV shows, commercials, and video games.
- Performance licenses: These permit the public performance of the music, such as in concerts, clubs, or through streaming services.
- Print licenses: These allow the use of the musical notation in printed formats, such as sheet music or songbooks.
6. Royalty Collection:
The music publisher collects royalties whenever the musical composition is used under a valid license. Royalties are typically paid on a per-use basis or through streaming revenue.
7. Copyright Protection:
The publisher ensures the copyright protection of the musical composition and represents the songwriter's rights in case of copyright infringement.
8. Promotion:
The publisher may assist in promoting the song and the songwriter's work, including pitching to potential licensees and providing marketing and promotional support.
9. Administration and Reporting:
The publisher provides regular statements to the songwriter detailing the usage of the musical composition and the royalties earned.
10. Copyright Termination:
After a specified term (typically 35 years in the United States), the songwriter may terminate the music publishing agreement and regain full ownership of their musical composition.
Music publishing plays a crucial role in the music industry, ensuring that songwriters receive proper compensation and recognition for their creative works, while also facilitating the use of music across different platforms and media.