Music Publishing FAQ: Everything Artists, Producers, and Songwriters Need to Know

Music publishing is one of the most misunderstood and most financially important parts of the music industry. Many creators leave money on the table simply because they don’t know what questions to ask, what rights they own, or how royalties actually flow.

Below are the most frequently asked questions about music publishing, answered clearly and honestly. Under each answer, you’ll also see how Elizabeth Music Group approaches that exact issue in real-world practice.

1. What Is Music Publishing, Really?

Short answer: Music publishing is about ownership, administration, and monetization of the composition, not the recording.

Every song has two copyrights:

• The Composition (lyrics + melody) → publishing

• The Sound Recording → master

Publishing income is generated when a composition is:

• Streamed

• Downloaded

• Performed live

• Played on radio

• Used in TV, film, ads, games, or social platforms

This includes:

• Performance royalties

• Mechanical royalties

• Sync fees

• Print royalties

If you wrote or co-wrote a song, you own publishing, whether you’ve registered it or not.

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

Elizabeth Music Group focuses exclusively on maximizing the composition side. We ensure:

• Every song is properly registered

• Writer and publisher shares are protected

• Royalties are collected globally

• Sync placements are pursued/your catalog is pitched for opportunities

2. What’s the Difference Between Writer’s Share and Publisher’s Share?

Publishing is typically split into two equal halves:

• 50% Writer’s Share – always belongs to the songwriter

• 50% Publisher’s Share – can be administered or shared

You can never give away your writer’s share, but you can partner with a publisher to manage the publisher’s share.

If you don’t have a publisher:

• You are technically your own publisher

• But many royalties will go uncollected without proper infrastructure

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

Elizabeth Music Group operates on a true 50/50 publishing partnership:

• You keep 100% of your writer’s share

• We split the publisher’s share

• That publisher share funds global royalty collection, registrations, and the necessary expenses

No hidden deductions.

3. Do I Need Music Publishing If I’m Independent?

Absolutely especially if you’re independent.

Streaming platforms do not collect publishing royalties for you. They only pay master royalties to distributors. Publishing royalties come from:

• PROs (ASCAP, BMI, etc.)

• Mechanical agencies

• International societies

• Sync licensing channels

Independent artists are the most likely to have unclaimed publishing income.

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

We specialize in independent creators and handle:

• Full publishing setup

• Retroactive royalty claims where possible

• Global registrations

• Education so you understand where your money is coming from

4. What Is a PRO and Why Do I Need One?

A PRO (Performance Rights Organization) collects performance royalties when your music is:

• Streamed

• Played publicly

• Broadcast on radio or TV

• Performed live

Examples include:

• ASCAP

• BMI

• SESAC

• International equivalents

You must register as a writer with a PRO, but a PRO alone is not enough to collect all publishing income.

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

We help musicians:

• Choose the right PRO

• Ensure songs are correctly registered

• Avoid common metadata errors that delay or block payments

• Coordinate PRO data with global publishing databases

5. What Is an IPI Number and Why Does It Matter?

An IPI number is your unique identifier in the global publishing system.

Without it:

• Royalties can’t be properly tracked

• Songs can’t be matched across territories

• Payments may sit unclaimed indefinitely

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

We:

• Confirm or help establish correct IPIs

• Clean up conflicting registrations

• Ensure writer and publisher IPIs are properly linked

• Protect your catalog from metadata fragmentation

6. How Do Publishing Royalties Get Collected Internationally?

Music publishing is territory-based. Each country has its own collection society, payment rules, and timelines.

Without a global publishing company:

• Many territories never pay out

• Royalties expire after a set time

• Income is lost permanently

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

Elizabeth Music Group works with:

• International collection societies

• Centralized registration systems

This ensures your music earns worldwide, not just domestically.

7. What Is Sync Licensing and How Does Publishing Factor In?

Sync licensing happens when your composition is paired with visual media:

• TV

• Film

• Ads

• Games

• Online content

Sync income usually includes:

• An upfront fee

• Performance royalties from broadcast

• Long-term backend income

Publishers play a critical role in pitching and clearing compositions for sync.

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

We actively:

• Pitch music for sync opportunities

• Clear compositions quickly

• Protect long-term publishing value

• Align creative strategy with licensing demand

We don’t just chase placements - we build sync-ready catalogs.

You can read this article here by The Source about Elizabeth Music Group’s sync-forward strategy.

8. Can I Switch Publishers or Sign Later?

Yes. Publishing deals are not permanent.

Key things to watch:

• Term length

• Retention periods

• Territory coverage

• Scope of rights

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

Our agreements are:

• Transparent

• Clearly defined

• Built for long-term relationships, not lock-ins

We want partners who stay because it works and because they want to stay, not because they’re stuck.

9. What Happens If My Songs Aren’t Properly Registered?

Unregistered or incorrectly registered songs result in:

• Missed royalties

• Payment delays

• Conflicting ownership claims

• Lost sync opportunities

This is one of the most common and costly mistakes in music publishing.

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

We conduct:

• Catalog audits

• Metadata verification

• Ownership alignment

• Ongoing monitoring

Your songs don’t just get registered - they stay accurate over time.

10. When Should I Start Thinking About Publishing?

The moment you release music or even before.

Publishing income is cumulative. The earlier your catalog is set up correctly:

• The more royalties you collect

• The easier future growth becomes

• The stronger your leverage is for opportunities

How Elizabeth Music Group Handles This

We help creators at every stage:

• First release

• Growing catalogs

• Established musicians with missing income

• Producers building instrumental libraries or catalogs

Publishing is not just paperwork - it’s infrastructure for your career.

Final Thoughts: Publishing Is a Long-Term Asset

Music publishing isn’t about quick wins. It’s about:

• Ownership

• Longevity

• Passive income

• Creative freedom

When done correctly, your songs can earn for decades.

Elizabeth Music Group exists to help creators treat their music like the assets they are - without confusion, hidden terms, or gatekeeping.

If you want your catalog protected, collected, and positioned for growth, publishing isn’t optional. It’s essential.