Music publishing can be tricky with so many options out there. But don’t worry! Our team of music lawyers have examined the top indie music publishers for 2024 for you. They’ve taken a close look at all the different deals to help you make the smartest choice
Synch distribution (addendum to artist agreement)
Non-exclusive, sublicensable synch rights
Rolling until terminated with 10 days’ notice.
Universe-wide
40%
MLC collection admin (addendum to artist agreement)
Exclusive
Until termination by either party
15%
Music Publishing Administration (addendum to artist agreement)
Exclusive administration deal
1 year, auto-renewing quarterly
Exploitation Period for any song lasts either until the end of the Term, or 12 months after submission of the composition—whichever is later.
Worldwide
15% administration fee
Specific Publishing Services are selected by artist in account registration process.
Publishing Administration
No publishing exploitation—recording distribution deal only, including synchronization licenses issued to third parties.
Publishing Administration
No deal terms publicly available
No publishing arm, but does synch promotion as a label.
Provides a synch library which artists can upload to.
Non-exclusive license
Subscription Term:
Monthly from date of purchase, until canceled.
Sync Term:
For usages in paid Permitted Media, the Sync Term is limited to the Subscription Term.
For usages in non-paid (otherwise known as “organic”) Permitted Media, The Sync Term is in perpetuity and for archival purposes, provided the Content is created and first published or distributed during the Subscription Term
No publishing, only synch through third-party “SynchedIn” agency. Terms and conditions for those services not available without subscription.
Publishing Administration
Publishing Administration
Exclusive
1 year, auto-renewing
Worldwide
$100 fee
15% commission
Specific terms and conditions for publishing administration services not available on website – requires signing up as a writer
$50 set up fee
15% administration fee
Transactional basis
No blanket revenue split terms. Royalty split is based on account type selected and transactional sale terms.
Only offers synch licensing through “Bodega” synch agency. Agreement is not publicly available, requires application: https://bodegasync.com/apply/
Basic record distribution deal (Details not available)
Month-to-month
[Not available]
15% label fee
Terms and conditions do not provide deal details.
Possible additional terms and conditions will apply when purchasing service.
10% administration fee
Exclusive administration deal
Synchronization rights implicated. Grant of rights includes authorization of synchronization rights for recordings AND musical compositions embodied therein. Artist licenses the use of publishing rights for the distribution and promotion of recordings.
1 year, auto-renewing
1 year post-term collection period
1 year, auto-renewing
Universe
No revenue split for publishing rights.
Recording distribution will pay 100% of money earned after deducting transaction fees, mechanical licensing fees, and third-party service fees.
Worldwide
$75 set up fee
15% administration fee
Synch Splits (if opted in): 50%
Registration Fee
Synch distribution (addendum to artist agreement)
Non-exclusive, sublicensable synch rights
Rolling until terminated with 10 days’ notice.
Universe-wide
40%
MLC collection admin
(addendum to artist agreement)
Exclusive
Until termination by either party
Universe-wide
15%
Music Publishing Administration
(addendum to artist agreement)
Exclusive administration deal
1 year, auto-renewing quarterly
Exploitation Period for any song lasts either until the end of the Term, or 12 months after submission of the composition—whichever is later.
Worldwide
15% administration fee
Synch distribution (addendum to artist agreement)
Non-exclusive, sublicensable synch rights
Rolling until terminated with 10 days’ notice.
Universe-wide
40%
Specific Publishing Services are selected by artist in account registration process.
Non-exclusive, sublicensable synch rights
Rolling until terminated with 10 days’ notice.
Universe-wide
40%
Publishing Administration
Exclusive administration deal
Worldwide
No publishing exploitation—recording distribution deal only, including synchronization licenses issued to third parties.
Synchronization rights implicated. Grant of rights includes authorization of synchronization rights for recordings AND musical compositions embodied therein. Artist licenses the use of publishing rights for the distribution and promotion of recordings.
1 year, auto-renewing
Universe
Publishing Administration
Terms and conditions do not provide deal details.
Possible additional terms and conditions will apply when purchasing service.
10% administration fee
No deal terms publicly available.
No publishing arm, but does synch promotion as a label.
Basic record distribution deal
[Details not available]
Month-to-month
[Not available]
15% label fee
Only offers synch licensing through “Bodega” synch agency. Agreement is not publicly available, requires application: https://bodegasync.com/apply/
Provides a synch library which artists can upload to.
Non-exclusive license
Subscription Term:
Monthly from date of purchase, until canceled.
Sync Term:
Paid Media: For usages in paid Permitted Media, the Sync Term is limited to the Subscription Term.
Organic Media: For usages in non-paid (otherwise known as “organic”) Permitted Media, The Sync Term is in perpetuity and for archival purposes, provided the Content is created and first published or distributed during the Subscription Term
Transactional basis
No blanket revenue split terms. Royalty split is based on account type selected and transactional sale terms.
No publishing, only synch through third-party “SynchedIn” agency. Terms and conditions for those services not available without subscription.
Publishing Administration
Specific terms and conditions for publishing administration services not available on website – requires signing up as a writer
Publishing Administration
Exclusive
1 year, auto-renewing
Worldwide
Please note that while we strive to keep our content updated, the information presented in our resources may change over time as companies adjust their terms and conditions. The content provided is accurate at the time of writing.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information, we make no guarantees regarding its reliability or applicability to your specific situation.
