MUSIC PUBLISHING
Your song gets played. You should get paid.
Publishing deals, administration agreements, and SOCAN and CMRRA registrations for Ontario songwriters, producers, and rights holders.
THE DIRECT ANSWER
What are music publishing rights?
Music publishing rights cover the composition — the lyrics and melody — as opposed to the master recording. Every time a song is streamed, performed, synced to a film, or covered, the publishing rights holder gets paid. In Canada, that money flows through collection societies like SOCAN (performance royalties) and CMRRA (mechanical royalties).
WHY IT MATTERS
Money that should reach the songwriter, structured the way it actually flows.
Publishing is where a lot of songwriters leave money on the table without realizing it. If you have not registered your works with SOCAN and CMRRA, you are not getting paid the mechanical and performance royalties you are owed when your songs are played on radio, streaming platforms, or synced to content.
The deeper issue is structure. A full publishing deal signs over a chunk of the copyright in exchange for an advance and administration. A co-publishing deal splits the rights. An administration deal keeps the copyright with the songwriter and just handles collection for a fee. Each has a fit, and each has traps — advance recoupment, reversion terms, controlled composition clauses, and sync approval rights.
We review proposed publishing deals, redline the terms that matter most, and register songwriters directly with the collection societies when a publisher is not the right fit yet.
HOW WE SUPPORT YOU
01
Register songs and songwriters with SOCAN, CMRRA, and international collection societies.
02
Review and negotiate publishing, co-publishing, and administration deals.
03
Handle split sheets and co-writer ownership documentation.
04
Advise on sync licensing and approval rights inside publishing deals.
05
Structure reversion and buy-back provisions on existing deals.
06
Audit statements and royalty payments from publishers and admin companies.
FAQ
Common questions about music publishing.
Do I need a publisher?
What's the difference between SOCAN and CMRRA?
What is a controlled composition clause?
How much does a publisher typically take?
Can I get my songs back from an old publishing deal?
What about the master recording?
RELATED SERVICES
Work we often pair with music publishing.
Record Deal Negotiation Lawyer Toronto
Clause-by-clause review and negotiation of record, 360, and distribution deals for Ontario artists.
Music Licensing Lawyer Toronto
Sync licensing, master use, and rights clearances for artists, producers, and companies using music commercially.
Copyright Lawyer Toronto
Registration, protection, and enforcement of copyright for musicians and creative businesses.