Overview
Music royalties are compensatory payments made to rights holders—songwriters, composers, recording artists, and publishers—whenever their music is played, performed, streamed, sold, or used in other media. These payments form the financial backbone of the modern music industry, ensuring creators are fairly compensated for their intellectual property. Royalties flow through various channels including streaming platforms, radio stations, venues, and licensing organizations, with different types of royalties applying to different uses of music.