Royalty Guide
How music royalties actually work.
Five short reads, no jargon. Most uncollected royalties are the result of one of these five things being misunderstood.
Articles
- 01Every stream pays twiceOne play generates two separate royalties: one for the recording, one for the song. They are collected by different people, through different systems.3 min read
- 02Why publishing money goes unclaimedUnclaimed royalties are almost never a mystery. They are a paperwork failure with three or four common causes.4 min read
- 03Writers, splits and IPI numbersThe three pieces of information that decide whether a song can be paid.4 min read
- 04What registration actually involvesFrom a finished song to a paid royalty: the steps, and roughly how long each one takes.4 min read
- 05How to read a royalty statementStatements look opaque until you know what the columns are for. Then they are the best evidence you have.3 min read