cover of Music Publishing

Music Publishing

By Ron Sobel, Dick Weissman

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About the Book

Music Publishing covers the basics of how a composition is copyrighted, published, and promoted. When we think of publishing, we often think of the printed, physical form-- sheet music-- that a composition may take. However, publishing in the music business goes far beyond the physical sheet--it includes live performance and mechanical (recording) rights, and income streams from licensing deals of various kinds. A single song can generated over 30 different royalty streams, and a writer must know how these royalties are calculated and who controls the flow of the money.
Taking a practical approach, the authors--one a successful music publisher and attorney, the other a songwriter and music business professor--explain in simple terms the basic concept of copyright law as it pertains to compositions. They examine the sources of income, the typical music publishing agreements, and explore some "myths" about music publishing, offering advice as to when to sign with a publisher. Throughout, they give practical examples from "real world" situations that illuminate both potential pitfalls and possible upsides for the working composers.
Music Publishing is a must-read for anyone who composes music and wants to reach a broader audience, as well as to students taking course in music business.

About the Author(s)

Ron Sobel is an attorney and the founder/president of North Star Media, a music publishing administration and consulting company based in Studio City, California. NSM is actively engaged in representing writers and their catalogues to the film and television community. Sobel is a former Vice President of ASCAP, the leading society representing composers.
Dick Weissman is the most published American author on the music business. He has written four books about the music industry. He taught for twelve years in the Music & Entertainment Industry program at the University of Colorado at Denver, was VP for the Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association, and has a long-term career as a studio musician, recording artist, songwriter and record producer. His book The Music Industry; Career Opportunities, Self Defense, is currently in its 4th edition.