Glossary of Music Publishing Terms

An administration deal is a legal agreement between the copyright owner and an entity to administrate an individual song(s), or an entire catalogue for a negotiated period of time. The administrator can be a publisher, or a qualified professional (lawyer, accountant). Functions of administration include: filing necessary documentation, copyright registrations, collecting royalties, and negotiating third party licenses (e.g. synchronization licenses). Fees for administration are generally computed as a percentage of income ranging from 10% -20%. An attorney should advise you before signing an administration deal.

When used in publishing an Advance refers to a payment made to the copyright owner or writer before royalties have been earned. Advances can be made by publishers or PROs (Performing Rights Societies) and are recouped from future royalties. Advances are usually non-refundable.

An Arranger is a person who takes a composition and decides what instrument will play what and where. This can be for a recording date or for a live performance. Aside from artistic reasons an arranger would arrange the music for the type and/or size of the band or orchestra that will be performing and/or recording it.

​The unconditional transfer of all rights contained in a copyright from the owner to another person or entity. This assignment generally concerns only the publisher’s side of the copyright though it is possible to assign the writer’s rights as well. To be legal this must be in writing and should be reviewed by an attorney.

A portion of the Copyright act that enabled the release of recordable digital formats such as CDs and DATs without fear of contributory infringement lawsuits as well as establishing that royalties would be paid to the owner of the Master and Publishing. The RIAA and music publishers concerned that consumers' ability to make perfect digital copies of music would destroy the market for audio recordings, had threatened to sue companies and had lobbied Congress to pass legislation imposing mandatory copy protection technology and royalties on devices and media. The Act also includes blanket protection from infringement actions for private, non-commercial analog audio copying, and for digital audio copies made with digital audio recording devices.

A term describing a film, television show or any other visual production which includes an audio component. The use of music with a visual production requires a synchronization license.

An administration deal is a legal agreement between the copyright owner and an entity to administrate an individual song(s), or an entire catalogue for a negotiated period of time. The administrator can be a publisher, or a qualified professional (lawyer, accountant). Functions of administration include: filing necessary documentation, copyright registrations, collecting royalties, and negotiating third party licenses (e.g. synchronization licenses). Fees for administration are generally computed as a percentage of income ranging from 10% -20%. An attorney should advise you before signing an administration deal.

An administration deal is a legal agreement between the copyright owner and an entity to administrate an individual song(s), or an entire catalogue for a negotiated period of time. The administrator can be a publisher, or a qualified professional (lawyer, accountant). Functions of administration include: filing necessary documentation, copyright registrations, collecting royalties, and negotiating third party licenses (e.g. synchronization licenses). Fees for administration are generally computed as a percentage of income ranging from 10% -20%. An attorney should advise you before signing an administration deal.

An administration deal is a legal agreement between the copyright owner and an entity to administrate an individual song(s), or an entire catalogue for a negotiated period of time. The administrator can be a publisher, or a qualified professional (lawyer, accountant). Functions of administration include: filing necessary documentation, copyright registrations, collecting royalties, and negotiating third party licenses (e.g. synchronization licenses). Fees for administration are generally computed as a percentage of income ranging from 10% -20%. An attorney should advise you before signing an administration deal.