Music Knowledge
What Is Publishing Administration?
Publishing administration explained: how administrators register songs, collect royalties and manage copyrights while you keep ownership.
Publishing administration is a service where a company manages the day-to-day business of your song copyrights — registration, royalty collection, licensing and reporting — while you retain ownership of your work.
What administrators do
Administrators register your compositions with collection societies, monitor usage worldwide, collect performance and mechanical royalties, and handle licensing enquiries.
They typically take a percentage of the income they collect, rather than buying your copyright.
Administration vs traditional publishing
A traditional publishing deal may assign ownership or a long-term share in exchange for advances. Administration keeps ownership with you and charges for the service.
For most independent songwriters, administration is the modern, ownership-friendly option.
Why admin prevents lost income
Unclaimed royalties are a real problem — income sits with societies when works aren't registered or matched. An administrator systematically registers and reconciles everything.
Zaventra Music Group's publishing administration covers registration, collection and reporting so your copyrights actually earn.
Key Points
- Manage song copyright business
- Registration + royalty collection
- You keep ownership
- Prevents unclaimed royalties
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does administration cost?
Administrators usually charge a percentage of collected income, typically 10–20%, rather than an upfront fee.
Do I lose my copyright?
No. Administration manages your copyrights; ownership stays with you.
Who needs publishing administration?
Any songwriter earning from streams, airplay or placements, or planning to grow a catalog seriously.