Music Publishing, Explained.
A plain-language guide to how songwriters earn money and why publishing administration matters.
What Is Music Publishing?
When you write a song, you automatically own the copyright to that composition. Music publishing is the business of managing and monetizing those copyrights.
A publishing administrator registers your songs with collection societies around the world, tracks where your music is being used, and makes sure you get paid for it.
Without publishing administration, royalties owed to you can go uncollected, sometimes permanently.
Types of Royalties
There are three main ways songwriters earn money from their compositions.
Mechanical
Earned every time your song is reproduced: streamed on Spotify, downloaded on iTunes, or pressed onto a CD. These are collected by mechanical rights organizations.
Performance
Earned when your song is performed publicly: played on the radio, streamed, performed live, or played in a venue. Collected by PROs like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
Sync
Earned when your song is licensed for use in film, TV, commercials, video games, or other visual media. These are negotiated on a per-use basis.
Why It Matters
If you don't have a publishing administrator, royalties from your music could be sitting uncollected at societies around the world. This is sometimes called 'black box' money.
The global music publishing market collects billions each year. Without proper registration and administration, songwriters miss out on earnings they've already earned.
Even if you're registered with a PRO domestically, international royalties require separate registrations that most songwriters don't handle on their own.
How JukeHouse Fits In
We're a publishing administrator, not a publisher. Here's the difference.
What We Do
- Register your songs with collection societies worldwide
- Track and collect all royalty types on your behalf
- Provide transparent, real-time analytics on your earnings
- Pay you monthly, not quarterly
What Makes Us Different
- You keep 100% of your royalties on our Pro plan
- You retain full ownership of your copyrights
- No long-term lock-in contracts
- Technology-first: real-time dashboard, API access, automated registrations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a publishing administrator if I'm already with a PRO?
Yes. Your PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) only collects performance royalties in your home territory. A publishing administrator like JukeHouse collects mechanical royalties, international performance royalties, and other income streams your PRO doesn't cover.
Will I lose ownership of my songs?
No. JukeHouse is an administrator, not a traditional publisher. You retain 100% ownership of your copyrights. We work on your behalf to register and collect, but your songs remain yours.
How long does it take to start collecting royalties?
Once you register your songs with JukeHouse, we begin submitting registrations to global societies immediately. Collection timelines vary by society, but most domestic royalties start flowing within 1-3 months. International collections can take 3-6 months.
What's the difference between a publisher and an administrator?
A traditional publisher typically takes ownership of (or co-owns) your copyrights and takes a larger share of royalties in exchange for creative services like pitching your songs. An administrator handles registration and collection without taking ownership, usually for a smaller fee or flat rate.
Can I leave JukeHouse if I want to?
Yes. We don't lock you into long-term contracts. You can leave with your catalog and copyrights intact. We believe in earning your business, not trapping it.
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