Why Is It Important to Keep Your Music Catalog Updated?
Keeping your music catalog registered and updated ensures you receive 100% of your royalties.
When you release a song on streaming platforms, it’s easy to assume you’re collecting all the royalties you owe. However, if you only upload your music to these platforms, you’ll only receive revenue from the recording (master), while publishing royalties could go unclaimed.
Publishing Royalties: The Part Many Overlook
Publishing royalties are generated from the composition of the song itself. Each time your work is played on streaming services, radio, TV, or any other medium, you’re generating income from the recording and the copyright on the composition.
Keeping your music catalog registered and updated ensures you receive 100% of your royalties. Without proper registration, publishing royalties could be lost, or worse, get stuck in what’s known as the “Black Box” — a fund for unclaimed royalties.
The Role of a Music Publisher in Your Success
A music publisher plays a crucial role in managing your rights as a songwriter. They register your songs with the relevant copyright societies and ensure that all platforms and territories are up-to-date with your music’s data, so royalties are never missed due to licensing issues.
Key responsibilities of a publisher include:
- Work Registration: Ensuring that each new song is properly registered with all necessary entities, nationally and internationally.
- Royalty Management: A publisher monitors and collects royalties generated by your compositions, including digital royalties (streaming) and physical royalties (sales and licenses). If the publisher doesn’t have your entire catalog registered, they can’t collect all your royalties.
What Happens If You Don’t Keep Your Catalog Updated?
The most immediate consequence of not having an updated catalog is potential revenue loss. Platforms and management entities need accurate information to determine who should receive the royalties. If you’re not registered or if your information is incorrect, those royalties won’t make their way to you.
Additionally, a well-managed catalog doesn’t just ensure royalties; it also increases the chances for your music to be discovered, featured in playlists, or chosen for sync opportunities in movies, shows, or commercials.
Avoid Future Conflicts
Maintaining an updated catalog not only guarantees 100% of your royalties but also helps prevent potential rights conflicts down the line. A clear and well-documented catalog establishes the rightful owners of each work, reducing the likelihood of legal disputes. This is essential for any songwriter or artist to ensure that your rights are always protected and well-organized.
