Music publisher (sheet music)

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The term music publisher originally referred (before the growth of recorded music and popular music) to publishers who issued printed sheet music.

The business of music publishing is concerned with developing, protecting and valuing music.

The business is diverse and demands a variety of skills. These range from the ability to spot writing talent and original music that is likely to appeal to an audience, to ensuring that all uses of music are properly licensed and paid for. Music publishers play a vital role in the development of new music and in taking care of the business side, allowing composers and songwriters to concentrate on their creative work.

The role of a music publisher involves:

Finding new and talented songwriters and composers and encouraging and supporting them as they develop their skills, whether through helping with their living expenses, providing them with the facilities they need to produce music or offering advice and guidance in writing for particular markets;

Securing commissions for new works and helping to coordinate work flow;

Registering the works of songwriters and composers with all appropriate collecting societies and agencies, such as MCPS and PRS;

Producing performance materials (score and parts) and demonstration recordings; Producing and licensing the production of printed music;

Preparing promotional materials, including sampler CDs, study scores, etc;

Promoting composers and songwriters to performers, broadcasters, record companies and others who use music on a commercial basis;

Licensing the use of music;

Monitoring and tracking the use of the music they own and ensuring that proper payment is made for all licensed uses;

Making royalty payments to songwriters and composers in respect of the usage of their music;

Taking appropriate action against anyone using music without the necessary licence;

The business of music publishing is dependent upon there being a strong copyright framework in place. The control of copyright enables a publisher to recover the investment made in songwriters and composers and to ensure that they are rewarded for their creative work. Without copyright there would be no financial incentive for music publishers to invest in composers and musical works. This would be to the detriment of composers who depend upon publishers to manage the business of exploiting musical works and administering royalty payments.

The relationship between a music publisher and a songwriter/composer is supported by a publishing contract setting out the rights and obligations of each to the other. Under these contracts songwriters and composers assign the copyright in their music to the music publisher in return for a commitment to promote, exploit and protect that music. The publisher agrees to pay the songwriter/composer a percentage of any income earned from such exploitation as royalties.