The Essential Music Payments Playbook: A Guide to Managing Complex Royalty Payments for Artists, Songwriters, and Rights Holders

The Essential Music Payments Playbook: A Guide to Managing Complex Royalty Payments for Artists, Songwriters, and Rights Holders

By Marcus Bennett

February 7, 2025 at 04:33 AM

The music industry's payment landscape is becoming increasingly complex as global revenues surpass $100 billion annually. To address the growing challenges of royalty payments, here's a comprehensive guide for managing payments to artists, songwriters, and rights holders.

Hands holding phones displaying money transfers

Hands holding phones displaying money transfers

Key Payment Benchmarks for Music Industry:

  • Process payments within 30 days of usage or licensing events
  • Track and pay for every play across all platforms and territories
  • Support multiple payment methods
  • Handle tax obligations automatically across regions
  • Integrate seamlessly with cloud ERP software

Success Stories and Industry Progress: Many companies are already executing millions of payments efficiently within 30-day windows. Modern payment infrastructure and tools have made music accounts payable (AP) manageable and streamlined, rather than a business obstacle.

Essential Steps for Payment Management:

  1. Identify all payment recipients clearly
  2. Determine payment timing and locations
  3. Calculate accurate payment amounts
  4. Evaluate existing accounting infrastructure
  5. Implement necessary system upgrades

Industry standards now demand capturing and accounting for every play on any platform globally. Companies must maintain efficient payment systems that can handle:

  • Large volumes of payees
  • International transactions
  • Various payment methods
  • Tax compliance across jurisdictions
  • Integration with existing software

Melody Rights website promo banner

Melody Rights website promo banner

NAMM Show Convention Center in Anaheim

NAMM Show Convention Center in Anaheim

This streamlined approach to music industry payments ensures rights holders receive accurate, timely compensation while businesses maintain efficient operations in an increasingly complex market.

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