There are a lot of different music publishing companies out there, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. How do you know who the best publishers are? What does music publishing even entail? In this blog post, we will answer all your questions and help you figure out which company is the best fit for your needs!
Two Types of Music Copyright
Before we get into the best music publishing companies, let’s first talk about music copyrights. There are two types of copyrights that apply to most musical compositions:
- The copyright in the composition itself (the melody, lyrics, and other musical elements)
- The copyright in the sound recording of the composition (the performance of the composition, which may be captured on a CD, tape, or digital file)
The first type of copyright, in the composition itself, is typically owned by the composer(s) or songwriter(s). So this is the WHAT that is being recorded in the music studio. The second type of copyright, which is the actual sound recording, is typically owned by the record label or producer. In either case, the owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to control how the composition is used and to collect royalties for that use.
But how does this fit in with music publishing?
While typically the artist(s) will have ownership in both types of royalties, that doesn’t apply to the companies that also hold ownership. To keep it simple, record labels will generally own the sound recording and publishing companies will own the composition. Some good examples of this are when Michael Jackson bought the publishing rights to the entire Beatles’ catalog, when Vanilla Ice bought Under Pressure by Queen, and when Motley Crue bought ownership of their catalog from their former record label. The latter is mentioned towards the end of the movie Dirt if you have seen it. Motley Crue have also since sold their entire catalog to BMG for $150 million.
There are three important royalties in regard to music publishing:
- Mechanical Royalties: these are paid to the copyright owners by other artists or companies that record, reproduce, and distribute the composition such as when someone distributes a “cover” version of a song
- Public Performance Royalties: these are paid when the composition is publicly performed
- Synchronization Fees: while not technically a royalty, sync fees are paid when the composition is used in an audio/visual way such as within a movie or television show soundtrack
What is Music Publishing?
Now that we know the difference between the two types of music copyright, let’s talk about what music publishing is. Music publishing is basically the business of licensing and managing musical compositions. A publisher will typically own or control a catalog of songs, which they will then license to others who want to use those songs. For example, if you are an artist who wants to use a particular song in your live show, you would need to get a license from the publisher of that song.
The publisher will also collect royalties on behalf of the songwriter(s) when the composition is used. For example, if a song is played on the radio, the publisher will collect performance royalties for the songwriter(s). If a composition is used in a film or TV show, the publisher will collect synchronization royalties for the songwriter(s). And if a song is streamed on Spotify or Apple Music, the publisher will collect mechanical royalties for the songwriter(s).
In addition to licensing and collecting royalties, music publishers also typically provide a range of other services to their clients, such as copyright registration, marketing and promotion, and career advice.
Music Publishing vs. Music Distribution
It’s important to note that music publishing is different from music distribution. Music distribution is the process of getting your music into the hands of your fans. For example, if you are an independent artist, you might use a digital distributor like CD Baby or Tunecore to get your music onto streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. A record label, on the other hand, would typically handle distribution for their artists.
So, to recap, music publishing is the business of licensing and managing musical compositions, while music distribution is the process of getting your music into the hands of your fans.
Now that we know what music publishing is and how it works, let’s take a look at some of the biggest music publishers in the business.
Best Music Publishing Companies
Sony Music Publishing
It would make sense to start with one of the biggest music publishing companies in the world. Sony Music Publishing serves artists such as Rolling Stones, Queen, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson. Sony has over 30 offices around the world and can provide top-tier work for their songwriters. Sony Music Publishing also works with large groups like CBS Television Network, Apple, and Fox Entertainment to name some.
While there are some great reasons to use Sony Music Publishing, you can’t just sign up with them. Sony does not take unsolicited submissions which is why you’ll need to get their attention first. Once you make enough noise, then they will come to you.
BMG Rights Management
BMG is a large company that not only has a music publishing arm but also a record label and production company. BMG represents artists such as Bruno Mars, Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, and Snoop Dogg just to list a few. They have over 60 offices worldwide and are continuing to grow. BMG provides many of the same services that Sony does such as copyright registration and marketing.
One of the best things about BMG is that they are always looking for new talent. You can submit your music to them through their website and if they like what they hear, they will be in touch.
Universal Music Publishing Group
The Universal Music Publishing Group is another one of the “big three” music publishers. They have over 60,000 artists in their catalog including Bee Gees, Taylor Swift, and Elton John. Universal also has a large network of offices around the globe which allows them to provide top-notch services for their clients.
Like Sony, Universal does not accept unsolicited submissions. So this is another case of you will need to work your way up until they reach out to you.
Kobalt Music Group
Kobalt is one of the leading independent music publishing companies that have focused on making the music industry fairer and more rewarding. Kobalt was founded in 2000 and has since then become one of the leading providers of technology for the music industry. They represent over 20,000 artists including Foo Fighters, Beck, and Lorde.
Kobalt is a great option for artists who are looking for an alternative to traditional music publishing companies. Even though they are an independent company, they will still pitch your music to some of the largest brands such as ABC and Disney. While they do not have a music submission option, you can still readily contact them and ask. Kobalt can be a great company to start with until you are ready to strike a deal with one of the big dogs.