Publishing Administration Deal
Agreement where a company handles copyright administration, royalty collection, and licensing for songwriters while they retain ownership of their compositions.
Definition
A publishing administration deal provides professional management of songwriting copyrights without transferring ownership. Administrators handle licensing, royalty collection, copyright registration, and rights enforcement while songwriters retain creative control and ownership.
These deals typically involve lower commission rates than traditional publishing deals since administrators don't provide creative services or advances, focusing purely on maximizing income from existing compositions.
Why It Matters
Administration deals enable independent songwriters to access professional publishing infrastructure without sacrificing copyright ownership or creative control. They're particularly valuable for self-sufficient writers who need collection expertise.
For successful songwriters, administration deals often generate higher long-term income than traditional publishing deals, as ownership retention allows writers to benefit from catalog value appreciation over time.
Examples in Practice
Songtrust provides administration services for independent writers, using technology and industry relationships to collect royalties from sources that individual writers couldn't efficiently access themselves.
Established songwriters like Diane Warren often use administration deals to maintain ownership while accessing global collection networks and sync licensing opportunities through professional administrators.
DIY artists who've had streaming success frequently transition from self-administration to professional administration deals as their catalogs grow and royalty sources become more complex to manage independently.