Answers/Glossary/Music publisher

Glossary · Publishing

Music publisher

By Boboy Watson·Last verified September 1, 2026·Also called Publishing company, Publisher, Song publisher

A music publisher takes an ownership interest in songs and works them. The traditional deal gives the publisher the publisher share — 50% of a composition's income — and in a full publishing deal, ownership of the copyright itself for a term. In exchange the publisher registers the work with The MLC, with ASCAP or BMI, and with societies in every territory it operates in; chases and audits income; licenses synchronisation; and in the classic model actively pitches songs to artists, films and advertising.

The distinction that matters most to an independent artist is publisher versus administrator. A publisher takes ownership. A publishing administrator — Songtrust, DistroKid Publishing, CD Baby's publishing service — performs the collection functions for a commission and leaves the copyright with you. Between them sits the co-publishing deal, where you keep part of the publisher share and the publisher takes the rest.

There is also the self-publishing option, which most independent artists should understand before signing anything. You register your own publisher entity with your PRO and collect both halves yourself. At ASCAP that is free if you apply as a writer and publisher at the same time, and $50 one-time if you add the publisher account later. BMI charges a one-time publisher processing fee but no longer publishes the amount. Checked 1 September 2026.

The misunderstanding: that a publisher is a prerequisite for earning publishing income. It is not. What a publisher offers is reach and effort, particularly outside the United States and in sync. BMI's own guidance says creating a publishing company "will not mean that you receive more royalties" — the money exists either way. The question is only who collects it and what they take.

Practitioner notes from an independent artist; any actual deal deserves a music attorney.

Definitions on this site describe the United States system. I am an artist who has been through this, not a lawyer.