Finding your note.

Music publishing is a complicated business, but we can help make sense of it.  Below is a list of the questions we get asked most often – with brief explanations. Also included are links to the websites of several industry organizations that will give you more information. 

If you can’t find what you need, contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I copyright my music?
Your work is covered by the US Copyright Act when it is in fixed form, be it sheet music or a recording.  However, copyright registration further protects your music by making your ownership part of the public record.

How are royalties earned?
Tafari collects royalties from album/single sales, ringtone sales, sheet music sales, radio and television play, performances, and the use of songs in commercials and films.

How are royalties paid?
Tafari reports and pays royalties semi-annually (June and December) to its songwriters and publishers.

Who tracks song usage?
Tafari does.  Mechanical licenses are issued for all of your songs.  Our specialized software tracks all payments due for your mechanical licenses.  In addition, Tafari checks regularly for any unlicensed uses.

What is mechanical income?
Mechanical income is derived from the sale of CDs, records, tapes, and certain digital configurations and is paid by the record label or content provider.  The maximum amount payable per song use is determined by the US Copyright Arbitration Panel.

What is synchronization income?
Synchronization income is generated when music is combined with visual elements and committed to a fixed form such as film. This type of income is not covered by the compulsory use provision of the US Copyright Act and must be licensed directly from the copyright owner/administrator.  Synch income includes uses in film, TV, commercials, karaoke CDGs, and video game music.

What is performance income?
Performance income is generated when your song is sung or played (live or recorded) on radio, TV, on the internet or through other programmed music services (airlines, cable music services, etc.)  This income goes to the writer and publisher through their respective performing rights organization.

Industry Links

For information on ASCAP, the 90 year-old performing rights organization. www.ascap.com

To learn more about BMI which represents over 300,000 songwriters.
www.bmi.com

BMI’s website includes a great “Handbook for Writers & Publishers.” www.bmi.com/songwriter/resources/pubs/handbook.asp

Who is Harry Fox? And what do they do?
www.harryfox.com

To find out the writers/publishers for a specific song check the Harry Fox website.
www.songfile.com

To read the US Copyright Act
www.copyright.gov

For more information on songwriting, check out the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International.
www.nashvillesongwriters.com

For more information on music publishing, visit the Association of Independent Music Publishers website.
http://www.aimp.org/