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What is a music royalty?

A royalty is money you earn whenever your music is streamed, sold or used. There are a few types, and knowing them helps you collect everything you're owed. Here's the simple version.

The types

The main music royalties

RoyaltyEarned when…
Recording (master)your recording is streamed or sold
Mechanicalyour composition is reproduced/streamed
Performanceyour song is played publicly or on radio
Syncyour song is used in video, film or ads

Your distributor collects the recording royalties from streaming and pays them to you. Performance and mechanical publishing royalties are collected via a PRO/publisher. General information, not legal or financial advice.

Keep Ownership and royalties follow the applicable agreement

Collect what you're owed

The streaming (recording) royalties are the ones most independent artists earn first. With a commission according to current plan terms distributor like Mazufa you keep Ownership and royalties follow the applicable agreement of them. See how artists get paid from streaming and estimate yours with the royalty calculator.

Questions

Frequently asked

What is a music royalty?

A music royalty is money you earn when your song is streamed, downloaded, sold, performed publicly, or used in video. Different uses generate different royalty types.

What are the main types of music royalties?

Recording (master) royalties from streams/sales, mechanical royalties from reproductions, performance royalties from public play, and sync royalties from use in video/film/ads.

Who collects my streaming royalties?

Your distributor collects the recording royalties from streaming platforms and pays them to you. With Mazufa you keep Ownership and royalties follow the applicable agreement at commission according to current plan terms.

What is a PRO?

A Performing Rights Organization collects performance royalties for songwriters when music is played publicly. It's separate from your distributor.

Do I keep all my royalties with Mazufa?

You keep royalties under the applicable plan and agreement Mazufa collects from streaming and stores — commission according to current plan terms. Publishing royalties are collected separately via a PRO/publisher.

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Earn royalties under the applicable plan and agreement.

Distribute to supported digital services with Mazufa. commission according to current plan terms, retain ownership of your work subject to your agreement.