Comment Re:Music servers (Score 1) 239
The record label owns the right to the recording. Regardless of who owns the copyright on the lyrics and the music, any recorded music by the copyright holder is owned by the record label and royalties are paid to the artist per contract.
Secondly, most artists also sell their publishing rights. They do this because it is the easiest way to get money up front, and the publishing company's sole job is to push the music to more venues of revenue. So when Joe buys a CD or a company pays to use a song for a TV commercial, the record label and publishing company get paid. They then pay the artist royalties, per contract. Some artists hold out on publishing, and then are able to get incredible deals. I believe I remember hearing of one successful John-Mayer-type artist who debuted in 2003/4 had held onto his publishing rights through his debut album, and was looking at a million dollar publishing deal prior to recording his new release.
Artists that do not get fairly negotiated contracts lose money because they naively give labels and publishing groups the ability to pay out less or no royalties in certain situations.
Secondly, most artists also sell their publishing rights. They do this because it is the easiest way to get money up front, and the publishing company's sole job is to push the music to more venues of revenue. So when Joe buys a CD or a company pays to use a song for a TV commercial, the record label and publishing company get paid. They then pay the artist royalties, per contract. Some artists hold out on publishing, and then are able to get incredible deals. I believe I remember hearing of one successful John-Mayer-type artist who debuted in 2003/4 had held onto his publishing rights through his debut album, and was looking at a million dollar publishing deal prior to recording his new release.
Artists that do not get fairly negotiated contracts lose money because they naively give labels and publishing groups the ability to pay out less or no royalties in certain situations.
