The music industry is notorious for its complex contracts, and publishing deals are often the most confusing of them all. For independent artists and songwriters, understanding the nuances of these agreements is critical. The right deal can propel your career forward, while the wrong one can tie up your copyrights and royalties for years—or even a lifetime.
At KOSIGN, we believe in transparency. We want you to understand exactly what you are signing before you put pen to paper. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the three main types of music publishing deals: Administration (Admin) Deals, Co-Publishing Deals, and Full Publishing Deals. We will explore the pros and cons of each, helping you decide which path aligns best with your career goals.
What is Music Publishing?
Before diving into the specific deals, it is essential to understand the core concept of music publishing. Put simply, music publishing is the business of managing and monetizing musical compositions.
When you write a song, you automatically create two distinct copyrights:
• The Sound Recording (Master Rights): This is the specific audio recording of the song. It is typically owned by the artist or the record label that funded the recording.
• The Composition (Publishing Rights): This covers the underlying musical elements—the melody, harmony, and lyrics. The composition is owned by the songwriter(s) and their publisher.
Music publishers are responsible for ensuring that songwriters receive royalties whenever their compositions are used commercially. This includes public performances (radio, live gigs, streaming), mechanical reproductions (physical sales, digital downloads, interactive streams), and synchronization (placements in films, TV shows, commercials, and video games).
The Three Main Types of Publishing Deals
When a publisher offers you a deal, they are essentially asking to manage your composition rights in exchange for a percentage of the revenue generated. The type of deal determines how much ownership you retain and how the royalties are split.
1. Administration (Admin) Deals
An administration deal is the most straightforward and artist-friendly arrangement. In an admin deal, you retain 100% ownership of your copyrights. The publisher simply acts as an administrator, registering your songs with global collection societies and collecting royalties on your behalf.
How it Works:
• Ownership: You keep 100% of your composition rights.
• Royalty Split: The publisher typically takes an administration fee of 10% to 20% of the gross revenue collected. You receive the remaining 80% to 90%.
• Term: Admin deals are usually short-term, lasting anywhere from one to three years.
• Advance: Because the publisher is not taking ownership, admin deals rarely include significant upfront advances.
Pros:
• Complete control and ownership of your music.
• Short-term commitment, allowing for flexibility as your career grows.
• Ideal for independent artists who already have a strong team or are generating significant royalties on their own.
Cons:
• No large upfront advance to fund your projects.
• The publisher may not actively pitch your music for sync placements or co-writing opportunities, as their financial incentive is lower compared to other deals.
2. Co-Publishing Deals
The co-publishing deal is currently the most common arrangement for established songwriters and artists. In this setup, you share ownership of your compositions with the publisher.
How it Works:
• Ownership: You typically assign 50% of the publisher's share to the publishing company. Since the writer's share (50% of total revenue) is always yours, you effectively retain 75% of the total publishing revenue, while the publisher takes 25%.
• Royalty Split: You receive 100% of your writer's share and 50% of the publisher's share.
• Term: Co-publishing deals often last for an initial term of one to three years, with options for the publisher to extend the agreement.
• Advance: These deals usually come with a substantial upfront advance, which is recoupable against your future royalties.
Pros:
• Significant upfront financial support (the advance) to help fund your career.
• The publisher has a vested interest in your success and will actively pitch your songs, set up co-writes, and leverage their industry connections.
Cons:
• You relinquish partial ownership of your copyrights, often for a long period (sometimes the life of the copyright).
• The advance is not free money; it is a loan that must be recouped before you see any further royalty payments.
3. Full Publishing Deals
A full publishing deal, sometimes called a traditional publishing deal, is the oldest model in the industry. In this arrangement, you transfer 100% of your composition rights to the publisher.
How it Works:
• Ownership: The publisher owns 100% of the copyright for the songs created during the term of the agreement.
• Royalty Split: Revenue is typically split 50/50 between the writer and the publisher.
• Term: These deals often cover a specific period or a required number of commercially released songs.
• Advance: Full publishing deals usually offer the largest upfront advances.
Pros:
• Maximum financial support upfront.
• The publisher takes on all administrative and promotional responsibilities, allowing you to focus entirely on writing.
Cons:
• You lose complete control and ownership of your songs.
• You receive a smaller percentage of the ongoing royalties compared to admin or co-publishing deals.
Comparing the Deals: Which is Right for You?
Choosing the right publishing deal depends entirely on your current career stage, financial needs, and long-term goals.
| Feature | Administration Deal | Co-Publishing Deal | Full Publishing Deal |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Ownership Retained | 100% | 50% of Publisher's Share | 0% |
| Royalty Split (Writer/Publisher) | 80-90% / 10-20% (Admin Fee) | 75% / 25% | 50% / 50% |
| Upfront Advance | None or Very Small | Moderate to Large | Largest |
| Publisher's Promotional Effort | Low (Focus is on collection) | High (Active pitching and networking) | Highest (Full control and investment) |
| Contract Term | Short (1-3 years) | Medium (Often includes extension options) | Long (Often tied to song delivery requirements) |
When to Choose an Admin Deal
If you are an independent artist generating your own momentum, an admin deal is often the smartest choice. It allows you to collect global royalties efficiently without sacrificing your long-term assets. KOSIGN empowers independent artists and songwriters to keep 100% ownership while using the same world-class technology as Max Martin to collect global publishing royalties faster.
When to Choose a Co-Publishing Deal
If you need financial backing to focus on writing full-time, or if you want access to a publisher's extensive network for sync placements and co-writes, a co-publishing deal might be worth the trade-off in ownership.
When to Choose a Full Publishing Deal
Full publishing deals are less common today but may appeal to pure songwriters (those who do not perform their own music) who require significant upfront capital and want a publisher to handle all business aspects of their catalog.
The Uncollected Royalty Problem
Regardless of the deal you choose, having a publisher or administrator is crucial. The music industry is plagued by the issue of uncollected royalties, often referred to as the "black box." Billions of dollars in mechanical and performance royalties go uncollected every year simply because songs are not properly registered with global collection societies.
By partnering with a transparent and technologically advanced administrator like KOSIGN, you ensure that every stream, download, and performance is tracked and monetized.
Take Control of Your Publishing
Your songs are your most valuable assets. Before signing any agreement, consult with a music attorney to ensure you fully understand the terms.
If you are ready to take control of your publishing, collect your global royalties, and retain 100% ownership of your music, apply to join KOSIGN today at kosignmusic.com/apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a master recording and a composition?
The master recording is the specific audio file of a song, while the composition refers to the underlying melody, harmony, and lyrics. Publishing deals only deal with the composition rights.
Do I need a publishing deal if I am an independent artist?
While you don't need a traditional deal where you give up ownership, you do need a publishing administrator to collect global mechanical and performance royalties that your distributor (like DistroKid or TuneCore) cannot collect.
What is an advance in a publishing deal?
An advance is an upfront payment made by the publisher to the songwriter. It is not free money; it is a recoupable loan. The publisher will keep your share of royalties until the advance is fully paid back.
Can I switch from a co-publishing deal to an admin deal later?
It depends on your contract. Most co-publishing deals have a specific term, but the publisher may retain ownership of the songs created during that term indefinitely. Always have a lawyer review the "reversion clause" before signing.
How does KOSIGN differ from traditional publishers?
KOSIGN is an administration platform powered by Kobalt. We do not take ownership of your copyrights. We provide world-class technology to collect your global royalties faster, allowing you to keep 100% of your rights.
Related Resources
• What is Music Publishing Administration?
• How to Keep 100% Ownership of Your Songs
• Why Music Publishing is Essential
• Why Your Distributor Isn't Collecting Your Publishing Royalties
• Performance Royalties Explained
• Mechanical Royalties Explained