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Music Rates and Royalties 2023: Past, Present and Future

By Jeff Brabec and Todd Brabec
March 01, 2023

In a world of practically unlimited music use and opportunities, the world of royalties and compensation for songwriters, composers, recording artists, music publishers and record companies has changed dramatically with digital/online and social media altering the "rules of the game" for all. What was once relatively straightforward is now a complex set of rates, rules and negotiations upending, in many cases, how the industry works as many have known it.

To understand today's environment and the continuing economic effect it has on the music industry, it is important to understand how rates and royalties are set as well as how they are distributed.

This article discusses the most important music rate and royalty areas, both past, present and future and how and by whom they are set or determined as well as the effect that legislation, litigation, the Copyright Royalty Board and the Department of Justice have had on the process.

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