The role and duties of a music publisher

A publisher will often pay a lump sum advance, in return for an agreement where the author will be tied to the publisher for a number of years or a number of albums. Usually everything the author writes within the term of the contract will be exclusively administered by the publisher, who will also agree to reach out and try and create new uses and opportunities for the author's works such as covers, audio-visual uses, the publication of sheet music etc.

The publisher may also be able to help the artist and manager obtain a recording contract. Hence, if the author signs to a publisher he/she can expect to receive mechanical and public performance royalties as well as a service whereby the publisher seeks new uses for the author's works in order to generate more income.

In return for an advance and for these services, the publisher will want to take a larger share than is the case if the author receives income directly from a CMO.

These are the main duties of a publisher;

1. To negotiate, organise and issue licenses for an author's works and make sure the creator receives as much remuneration from the works as possible for a particular use.

2. To issue or authorise the issuing of mechanical licenses via a CMO to record labels who want to use the author's work in a recording.

3. To issue and try to acquire ‘synchronisation licenses’ where the author’s works are synchronised with visual images (i.e. films, television, advertisements and video games).

4. To obtain ‘covers’ for the author (i.e. to persuade and suggest that other performers make recordings using the author's work).

5. To correctly register all the author's works with the appropriate author’s public performance and mechanical CMOs.

6. To administer printed music sales and online digital sheet music of the author's works or to license this to third parties.

7. To collect the above income on behalf of the author in every part of the territory. If the territory is the world, then the publisher will have offices or sub-publishers in every part of the territory or may collect directly from a local CMO in a particular part of the territory.

8. To accurately account to the author every six months, providing detailed statements and payment (if due any).

Publishing income is very important for an all-round artist that writes and performs his/her own material. In the early days, it can be the only income that an artist has to live on.