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Song royalties explained simply
The two sides of every song, the main royalty types, and who collects each one.
Part 1
Two copyrights in every song
The recording (the master) and the composition (the words and melody). Each one can earn its own money.
Part 2
The main royalty types
- Recording royalties from streams and downloads, paid through your distributor.
- Performance royalties for the composition, collected by your PRO.
- Mechanical royalties for the composition, collected in the US by the MLC.
- Sync fees when a song is licensed for video.
Part 3
An honest note
Pay per stream changes by store, country and listener plan, so no one can promise a fixed rate. plai takes none of your recording royalties.
Publishing is not distribution · Music distribution · Back to the blog
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