Music publishing involves the management and licensing of musical compositions. It encompasses the administration of rights, collection of royalties, and the promotion of songs to generate income for the creators.

A songwriter is the creator of the music and lyrics, while a music publisher is responsible for handling the business aspects, such as licensing, royalty collection, and promoting the songs. Often, they work together to ensure the success of a musical work.

Music publishers make money through various revenue streams, including mechanical royalties, performance royalties, synchronization licensing, and print royalties. They earn a percentage of the income generated from these sources.

Mechanical royalties are payments made to songwriters and publishers for the reproduction and distribution of their music. This typically includes physical copies like CDs and vinyl, as well as digital downloads and streaming.