Streaming royalties
Income associated with the use of recordings on digital services can involve different rights, rates, territories, and reporting periods.
Music business resource
Understanding your music money.
A clear introduction to the rights, identifiers, information, and reporting processes that surround recorded music income.
RecordingMaster rightsMusic useComposition rightsSong
This page provides general educational information, not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Your rights and income depend on your agreements and circumstances.
Master recording royalties
The owner of a master recording may receive income connected to uses of that recording, subject to applicable agreements and deductions.
Publishing
Songwriting and composition rights are distinct from ownership of the sound recording and are commonly administered separately.
ISRC
An International Standard Recording Code identifies a specific sound recording. Different recordings or versions generally require distinct codes.
UPC / EAN
A product-level code commonly identifies a release such as a single, EP, or album rather than an individual track.
Metadata
Names, titles, credits, identifiers, territories, and ownership information help royalties and releases connect to the correct parties.
Splits
Collaborators should document agreed ownership and income splits clearly before release wherever possible.
Reporting and payments
Statements and payment timing depend on reporting received, applicable agreements, thresholds, verification, and processing requirements.