If you’re a songwriter, producer, or composer, your music can generate royalties every time it’s played, streamed, downloaded, or licensed. But tracking down every penny across multiple countries and platforms isn’t easy. That’s where a music publishing administrator comes in.
At Landry Legal, we work with artists at all stages of their careers, and we know that misunderstanding publishing administration is one of the most common reasons royalties go uncollected.
What Does a Music Publishing Administrator Do?
A publishing administrator’s job is simple in theory but complex in practice:
- Registering Your Works with performing rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or international counterparts.
- Tracking Usage across streaming platforms, radio, TV, film, live performance, and more.
- Collecting Royalties from dozens of sources worldwide, including mechanical, performance, and sync income.
- Enforcing Rights by chasing down unpaid royalties and ensuring licenses are in place when your music is used.
Why You Might Need One
Without an administrator, you’re responsible for navigating dozens of global royalty collection systems on your own. That means:
- Potentially missing out on money from international plays.
- Delayed payments because of registration errors or incomplete metadata.
- Weaker enforcement if your music is used without proper licensing.
Publisher vs. Publishing Administrator
It’s important to note:
- A publisher often takes ownership (or co-ownership) of your copyrights in exchange for their services.
- A publishing administrator typically does not take ownership, they simply collect royalties on your behalf in exchange for an administrative fee (often 10–20%).
This difference can be critical if you want to retain control over your songs while still having professional help to get paid.
Landry Legal’s Perspective
As attorneys for artists, we help clients understand the fine print before signing administration agreements. We review terms like:
- Fee percentage (Is it competitive?)
- Term length (How long are you locked in?)
- Territory (Are they collecting worldwide?)
- Audit rights (Can you verify their collections?)
An admin can be worth their fee, but only if the deal protects your ownership and maximizes your earnings.
Protect Your Royalties Before You Lose Them
If you’re earning from your music, or plan to, a publishing administrator could be the missing link in your royalty collection strategy. But every deal is different, and the wrong agreement can cost you more than it earns.
Call Landry Legal at 888-914-0011 or email contact@landrypllc.com to have your publishing agreements reviewed, negotiated, or drafted so you can focus on creating while we make sure you get paid.