Everything independent artists need to know about mechanical royalties in 2026. Learn what they are, how rates work, the role of the MLC and Harry Fox Agency, and step-by-step instructions to collect every penny.
Understand how music publishing works, the difference between mechanical and performance royalties, types of publishing deals, and how to collect every penny you are owed as a songwriter. Includes real numbers and actionable registration steps.
How to clear samples. Avoid legal strikes and royalty loss by mastering the step-by-step process of securing sample permissions.
A complete guide to music publishing deals, royalty splits, songwriter rights, and how publishing income works for artists and creators.
Most independent artists collect 2 or 3 of the 13 royalty streams they are owed. This guide covers every royalty type, who collects it, and the exact steps to make sure none of your money goes unclaimed.
Video game sync licensing works differently from TV and film. This guide covers how placements happen, what developers actually need from music, how deals are structured, and the specific steps to get your catalog in front of the people making buying decisions.
Getting music on Netflix means working through music supervisors, production companies, and sync libraries. No direct portal exists. This guide explains how the pipeline actually works, what supervisors need from your catalog, and the realistic path for independent artists.
One sync placement in a Netflix show can pay more than 2 million Spotify streams. Here is exactly how independent musicians break into sync licensing without a label, publisher, or industry connections.
A co-publishing deal splits the publisher's share of your songwriting income with a music publisher in exchange for an advance, administration, and creative services. This guide explains how co-pub deals work, what you keep and what you give up, and how to decide if one is right for you.
Setting up your own music publishing company lets you collect the publisher's share of royalties that would otherwise go unclaimed. This guide explains what a publishing company does, how to register one, and what to do once it is set up.
A music advance is not a loan, but it is not free money either. This guide explains how advances work, what recoupment means, the difference between label and publishing advances, and how to think about whether an advance makes sense for your career.
Sony Music Publishing is the world's largest music publisher by market share, formed from the merger of Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing. Its sync licensing division places songwriter catalogs across film, television, advertising, video games, and trailers. Represents historic catalogs including the Beatles, Michael Jackson's Mijac catalog, and a vast roster of contemporary songwriters. Acquired Recognition Music Group (45,000 songs, formerly Hipgnosis portfolio) in July 2026. Does not accept unsolicited submissions.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the music publishing division of Universal Music Group and one of the largest music publishers in the world. Its sync licensing division places songwriter catalogs across film, television, advertising, video games, and trailers. Represents a vast roster of songwriters and producers across all genres. Does not accept unsolicited submissions.
Concord Music Publishing's sync division is a global synchronization licensing operation based in New York City with teams in the US, UK, Germany, and Australia. The division licenses Concord's catalog of songs for film, TV, advertising, trailers, and gaming, including works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, John Fogerty, Phil Collins, Genesis, and Robert Johnson.
