MUSIC BUSINESS & LAW

Copyright, publishing, contracts, and industry knowledge

6 posts

Engineer working at the mixing console in Sweet Dreams Studio Amusic-business

How Streaming Royalties Actually Work

Per-stream rates, pro-rata vs user-centric models, and why 1 million streams doesn't mean $1 million. Here's how streaming royalties actually work — and how to maximize yours.

Mar 27, 202610 min read
Artist writing and working on music in Sweet Dreams Studio Bmusic-business

Beat Licensing: Leases vs Exclusive Rights

Buying a beat? Selling beats? Understanding the difference between leases and exclusives is the difference between a hit and a lawsuit. Here's exactly how beat licensing works.

Mar 24, 202610 min read
Focused view of Sweet Dreams Studio A workspacemusic-business

ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC: PROs Explained

Every songwriter needs a PRO, but which one? Here's how ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC compare — what they collect, how they pay, and how to choose the right one for you.

Mar 20, 20269 min read
Sweet Dreams Studio B setup with monitors and recording equipmentmusic-business

Music Publishing Explained for Songwriters

If you write songs, you have a publishing business whether you know it or not. Here's how music publishing works, the types of deals available, and why every songwriter needs a strategy.

Mar 17, 202610 min read
Wide view of Sweet Dreams Studio A recording spacemusic-business

Copyright 101: What Every Artist Must Know

Two copyrights exist in every song you create. Understanding them is the difference between building wealth and giving it away. Here's what the music business runs on.

Mar 13, 202610 min read
Artists and engineer collaborating during a recording session at Sweet Dreams Studio Amusic-business

How the Music Industry Actually Works in 2026

The music industry isn't as mysterious as labels want you to think. Here's how money actually flows from listeners to artists — and how to position yourself to capture more of it.

Mar 10, 202611 min read