What is a music publisher?

A music publisher manages songs and their copyrights. When a songwriter creates a song, he or she is the 100% writer and 100% publisher automatically. If the writer has a publisher other than himself, then the publisher typically participates in the ownership, promotion and administrative activities relating to the song.  You can think of a publisher as being an agent for the song, the accountant, and the legal representative.  The publishers main job is to make sure that the song is earning revenue.

How is revenue split up for songwriting and publishing?

Music publishing revenue is typically split 50%-50% between the writer and publisher. A song in the US maket is registered to one of the PROs (performance rights organizations). ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are the three that serve the United States. A US songwriter can belong to only one PRO, but a publisher can and should belong to all three.  These organizations are responsible for collecting performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers which they send on a quarterly basis to the entitled party.  When a publishing deal is entered into, the PRO is alerted to send the writers share 50% directly to the writer and the publishers share 50% directly to the publisher.  Other fees such as sync fees go directly to the publisher and 50% is sent to the writer. For instance, if a music publisher collects $500 in royalties, $250 goes to the writer(s) and $250 stays with the publisher.

What is sync licensing?

Sync is an abbreviation for “synchronization,” which refers to the process of embedding, or fixing, an audio element in time-relation to some form of visual production. When a song is used in a motion picture or televison show, the producer of the show must get permission from the publisher to use the song and also get permission from the master recording owner(record label) to use the separate master recording copyright. Our firm secures both the sync and master rights for these producers which is why we are called a "One Stop Shop".

What are the fees for licensing to film/TV?

Up-front music licensing fees are negotiable and depend on many factors such as the nature of the use, the type of project, the territory, term, and the project's production budget. Some licenses are only a couple hundred dollars for a local placement while larger productions pay $80,000 and beyond for a sing song license.

Can I submit music to Krystal Chastin Music for placement in film and television?

Yes, just send an email to submissions@bradheck.com to receive a submission kit.