Understanding music royalties for independent artists in Myanmar is the key to maximizing your income. Every time your song is played, streamed, broadcast, or used in a video, it generates multiple, distinct income streams—often referred to as royalties. Knowing where these streams come from and how to collect them is the difference between earning a small percentage and securing your full potential income.

Most artists successfully collect their Master Recording revenue through their distributor, but they often miss the other critical half: Publishing Royalties for the underlying composition.

This guide, brought to you by the expert team at BMG Myanmar, breaks down the three core types of music royalties your work earns globally and shows you exactly how we ensure you collect every kyat and dollar you’re owed.

1. Master Recording Royalties: The Foundation of Your Streaming Income

This is the most straightforward royalty stream and the one your distributor primarily handles.

• What it is: Revenue generated from the use of the Sound Recording (the actual, finished audio file you upload).
• How it’s Earned:
  • Interactive Streams: When a listener chooses to play your song on-demand (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music).
  • Downloads: When a fan purchases your track from a digital storefront (iTunes, Amazon).
  • Local Caller Tunes: Usage fees from telecom services (MPT, Ooredoo, Atom).
• Who Collects it: Your Music Distributor (like BMG Myanmar) collects this from the DSPs and pays it directly to the owner of the master recording (usually the artist or their label).

2. Collecting Publishing Royalties: Mechanical & Performance Streams

The most commonly missed income comes from the Composition (the melody, chords, and lyrics). This is where the world splits your money into two key categories: Mechanical and Performance royalties.

A. Mechanical Royalties ⚙️

Mechanical royalties are generated whenever your composition is reproduced or copied.

• What it is: Payment to the songwriter/publisher for the reproduction of their song.
• How it’s Earned:
  • On-Demand Streaming: Every interactive stream on Spotify, Apple Music, etc., generates both a Master royalty AND a Mechanical royalty.
  • CD/Vinyl Sales: Physical copies trigger a mechanical royalty per unit manufactured.
  • Digital Downloads: Every download is a reproduction.
• The Problem: These royalties are collected by various Mechanical Rights Organizations (MROs) globally. If you’re not registered with a Publishing Administrator, these earnings go uncollected, ending up as “Black Box” royalties. (For more on global rights organizations, check this [Outbound Link to a major PRO like ASCAP or BMI]).

B. Performance Royalties 🎤

Performance royalties are generated whenever your composition is played in public.

• What it is: Payment to the songwriter/publisher for the public broadcast of their song.
• How it’s Earned:
  • Terrestrial & Internet Radio: Every time your song is spun on the air.
  • Public Venues: When your song is played in restaurants, cafes, retail stores, gyms, or hotels.
  • Live Performances: You earn a performance royalty when you perform your own song live.
  • Non-Interactive Streams: Services like Pandora Radio.
• The Collection Path: These are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) worldwide.

3. Synchronization (Sync) Royalties: The Highest-Value Music Income 🎬

Sync royalties represent the highest-value, often one-time payments for intentional use of your music with visual media.

• What it is: A fee paid for a Synchronization License, which grants the right to use a song in alignment with a moving image.
• How it’s Earned:
  • TV & Film: Background music, opening/closing credits, movie scenes.
  • Advertisements: Commercial jingles or background tracks for major brands.
  • Video Games & Trailers: Licensed use in promotional or game content.
• Two Fees, One Deal: A sync deal requires two separate licenses (and two separate fees): one for the Composition (paid to the publisher/songwriter) and one for the Master Recording (paid to the artist/label/distributor). (Learn more about our licensing success in this [Internal Link to a Sync Case Study]).

How BMG Myanmar Ensures You Collect All Your Music Royalties

Navigating the global maze of Mechanical, Performance, and Sync royalties is why a complete partner is essential. BMG Myanmar simplifies this complexity by offering Publishing Administration alongside your Distribution—all while letting you keep 100% of your ownership.

Don’t let your creativity go unrewarded simply because of complex royalty structures. Partnering with BMG Myanmar means you can focus on making music, knowing the business side is fully secured and maximized. [Internal Link to “Get Started” page]

Ready to start collecting all of your royalties?