• In order to legally record a song, you need to sign a mechanical license from the publishers involved.

 

• The set rate established by law is 9.1 cents per copy made/download sold

 

• Most publishing companies do a standard $91 license which covers your first 1,000 copies printed or downloads sold (collectively).

 

• After you pass that point you simply order another mechanical license.

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• It's as simple as that! 

 

• If you co-wrote the song and have no publisher, the license would only be $45.50 because you own the other half. 

 

• If you co-wrote it with 2 people the license would be $60.66, split between the other 2 publishers. (You keep the other $30.34)

 

• Some of the major publishing companies may have a higher minimum, so make sure you find out up front.

 

• At Diamonds in The Rough Publishing, we stick with the standard 1,000 unit minimum ($91) and there is no administration fee.