What is music publishing?
As a songwriter and copyright owner, you inherently own the publishing rights to your works. Those rights include the exploitation of the songs, and licensing and collecting of royalties generated from these songs. There are four main royalty types: 1) Performance Income - including public performances, radio airplay, television airplay, restaurants and clubs as reported and accounted by performing rights societies (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC). 2) Mechanical Royalties - a per unit payment made by record companies for the manufacture and distribution of songs on CDs and tapes, usually based on the current statutory rate as fixed by the Copyright Act. 3) Synchronization Fees - a negotiated rate for the use of a song as an accompaniment to a film or television show. 4) Print Income - for the publication of a song in sheet music or a folio, based on a percentage of retail.
What is the difference between a publishing administrator and a traditional publisher?
A publisher in the traditional sense "participates" in the copyright by taking ownership or co-publishing the song with the writer. With that ownership comes the right to exploit the work as they see fit, and to collect all royalties generated by the copyright. In turn the publishing company agrees to pay 50% of all revenues collected to the writer. A publishing administrator does not participate in the copyright per se. Instead, the administrator performs the duties of publisher on behalf of the copyright owner. The administrator collects performance, mechanical, synchronization, print and foreign release income for a small commission. All rights, including creative exploitation, remain with the copyright holder.
What criteria do I as a writer/publisher need to meet in order to qualify for Bug Music's administrative services?
We look for catalogs with active, earning copyrights. Generally speaking, this would include songs on CDs and tapes or in film and television, both domestic and foreign.
If I don't have any current income, can I still sign to Bug?
In some instances we enter into agreements with writers who do not have earning copyrights. Pending record deals, pipeline income and synch activity can all enter into this decision.
Can Bug Music help me get a record deal?
Our worldwide creative department's efforts toward securing a film, television, commercial placement, or even inclusion in a local DJ's set list can only help the natural progression toward successfully securing a record deal. Luck is the residue of design.
Do I need a publishing administrator if I'm affiliated with BMI or ASCAP?
Yes. But, regardless who represents your publishing, a performing rights society is necessary to collect your performance royalties. In the U.S. there are three such societies: ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.
Does Bug collect foreign income and, if so, in what territories?
Yes. Through our network of foreign offices and affiliates, Bug collects royalties in all territories of the world in which societies have been established.
What are master rights and how do they differ from publishing?
Master rights are those that come with the ownership of a master recording. Should you own your masters, you control and license the mechanical reproduction of your songs.
Can Bug represent my masters?
Yes.
Does Bug copyright my material?
Yes. Bug performs all of the duties and obligations of publisher. If your works require copyrighting, Bug will submit registrations to the Copyright Office on your behalf.
Does Bug accept unsolicited material?
No.
Bug has so many writers - won't I get lost in the shuffle?
Unlike the conglomerates that dominate the publishing world, Bug remains a family-owned, independent company whose sole purpose is publishing administration. Our success as a company is a reflection of the success of our clients. We make it a priority to stay on the cutting edge of technology to keep up with the ever changing publishing climate and a growing client roster. Our clients know they are one phone call or email away from the answer to their question.
Seems like there are no independent publishers left out there? is Bug going to get swallowed up by a big multinational corporation?
No. How can we advise our clients to remain independent if we are not willing to do so?!!
I want to sample a song administered by Bug. What is the procedure?
Contact our Business & Legal Affairs department to request the usage.
I'd like to cover a Bug song/I'd like to use a Bug song in a compilation, what do I do?
Contact our Mechanical Licensing department via the Licensing section of our website to request the usage.
What are the costs and whom do I pay?
The mechanical royalty rate is based on the statutory rate set by congress. As of January 1, 2006, that rate is $0.091 per song (5 minutes or under) and $0.0175 for each additional minute over 5. Samples are based on the same rate, but are paid at a percentage equal to the percentage of the song that the sample constitutes.
We're making a CD for charity/church/non-profit use? can I use the song for free?
In some cases we grant gratis licenses for charitable usages. Contact our Mechanical Licensing department via the Licensing section of our website to request the usage.
I'd like to change lyrics/translate lyrics, what do I do?
The lyrical content of copyrighted works can not be altered without first receiving the consent of the publisher. Contact our Mechanical Licensing department to request lyrical alterations
Can I get copies of lyrics to songs administered by Bug?
Bug will provide sheet music or lyric sheets, if available, in its efforts to exploit administered works. However, generally speaking, sheet music should be acquired through authorized retail distributors
I've never collected any royalties for some songs I had on an album released a few years ago. Can I still collect them? What if the album was released internationally?
It is possible to retroactively collect unclaimed royalties. Domestic sources are accountable for up to seven years. International societies will hold royalties for approximately three years before dispersing them.
Would Bug have to collect royalties for an album I've released on my own label?
In some cases self-released albums require licensing (cover songs, co-writers, etc.). You should notify us of all of your releases just in case.
Can Bug pay other songwriters in my publishing company directly?
Yes. As administrator, Bug fulfills all of the obligations that you hold as publisher.
Who is Harry Fox?
The Harry Fox Agency is a domestic mechanical licensing agency similar in role to foreign societies like GEMA and SACEM. Although not as critical to the collection of mechanical royalties as BMI or ASCAP is to the collection of performance royalties, most publishers choose to register mechanical licenses through The Harry Fox Agency.
What does Bug do that the Harry Fox Agency doesn't?
The Harry Fox Agency most importantly serves as a clearinghouse for mechanical licenses. It does not however, perform any of the duties of a publisher beyond the registration of licenses and the remittance of royalties.
If a song is used in a movie or TV show or any audiovisual media, how is a songwriter compensated?
There are generally two ways a songwriter should be compensated for film and TV use. First, the initial synch fee which is negotiated by the publisher with the licensing party, the amount of which depends on a number of factors, such as: 1) the timing and use of the song in the production; 2) the overall budget of the production; 3) the stature of the copyright (i.e., whether the song is a hit or relatively unknown); 4) the rights the licensing party is seeking; i.e., term (one year, five years, perpetuity), territory (United States, Europe, world), the media for exploitation (home video/DVD, TV, theatrical, internet, etc.). Second, performance royalties are payable to the writer whenever the film or TV programs air on television in the future. This is accomplished by the publisher filing the music cue sheet it gets from the production (prepared by the music editor, showing a chronological listing of all music contained in a production, the writer, the publishers, how the music was used, etc.) with the applicable performing rights society. In this way, performance royalties will be paid according to the customs of the particular performing rights society in the applicable country every time the film or program airs around the world. With established, successful television programs, these performance royalties can be substantial. In the United States, writers also receive commercial performance royalties when their song is used for a TV commercial. In addition to the synchronization fee negotiated by the publisher with the advertising agency, commercial performance royalties are also payable to the writer/publisher every time the advertisement airs on television during the term of the commercial agreement. Also note that, unless they are re-recording the song, licensing parties must separately negotiate the rights to use the master recording with the applicable record company or owner of the master recording. The 'master use license' is a separate license from the 'synchronization license'. While the publisher controls and negotiates the rights to the underlying composition, they generally do not control the rights to the master recording. At Bug Music, however, as a service to our clients, we often negotiate and license master recordings along with the synchronization license when writers own their own masters.
I'm a Bug client. A filmmaker approached me about using my song in his new movie. Can I go ahead and license this myself, or should I have to have Bug business affairs handle that?
To be sure you get the fairest price for your work, we suggest you let Bug handle the negotiations.
What happens if I fail to notify Bug of new releases containing my material?
Your attention to your catalog will only enhance Bug's ability to license and collect on your behalf. In the event you forget to update Bug with release information, you stand the risk of losing income. However, Bug does monitor multiple information sources to stay apprised of new releases, both on the major and the independent fronts. In some cases, income can be successfully claimed retroactively.
If I move and forget to update Bug with my new address, what happens to my account?
When a royalty statement is returned to Bug as undeliverable, that account becomes address unknown. Royalties can continue to accumulate in the account, however statements will not be mailed out until updated information is received in writing. To report a change of address to Bug Music, please fill out and send the following form: Bug Music COA Form.pdf
Can I set up Direct Deposit or get electronic statements?
Yes. Please download this form, fill it out and fax it back to us. We will set up your account based on your requests. Download the form here: Bug Music Direct Deposit Form.pdf
I’ve got new songs to turn in, how do I go about this?
Please fill out the following Song Submittal Form: Song_Submittal_Form.pdf. Be as detailed as possible.
What do the Author % and Publisher % fields mean on the Song Submittal Form?
If there are other writers and or publishers who own part of this work then this is where you would indicate how much each party is entitled to.
Will Bug register my songs at my performing rights society?
Yes we will. Please do not submit your own registrations as it will cause problems at the society if you and Bug are registering for the same publishing entity.
