Music and Business

A music publisher's main role is to administer the copyrights and collect royalties for musical compositions on behalf of songwriters and composers.

Royalty is the term used to describe the percentage of revenue an artist earns from the sale of their music, typically calculated as a percentage of the retail price.

Music distributors are responsible for producing and distributing physical music formats, such as CDs, vinyl records, and cassettes, to retail stores and online platforms.

A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and an artist that outlines the terms and conditions for the recording, production, and distribution of the artist's music.

A music manager's primary role is to oversee the artist's financial and business affairs, including budgeting, accounting, and contract negotiations.

Performing rights organizations (PROs) are responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to songwriters and composers when their music is performed publicly, such as on radio, television, or in live concerts.

Music licensing agreements allow copyright holders to grant permission for the use of their music in various media, such as film, television, video games, and advertising.

The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) is the trade association that represents the interests of music publishers in the United States.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade association that represents the interests of recording artists in the United States.

A music catalog sale involves the transfer of ownership of a portion of a music catalog, typically including the copyrights and royalties associated with the songs, to investors.

SoundExchange is the organization responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to recording artists and record labels for the digital performance of their music in the United States.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is the organization that represents the interests of songwriters and composers in the United States.

The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) is the organization that represents the interests of songwriters and composers in Canada.

The Performing Right Society (PRS) is the organization that represents the interests of songwriters and composers in the United Kingdom.