Publishing & Rights
Protect your music and collect revenue through direct submission or publisher partnerships.
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Copyright Protection Overview
Vwaza offers tools for protecting your music and collecting revenue from sales through publisher partnerships. Publisher and rights features are managed via studio.vwaza.com. Revenue from publishing follows the standard 80/20 split: 80% to the artist, 20% to Vwaza.
Publisher Partnership. Work with professional publishers for comprehensive management and global reach.
Working with Publishers
Professional music publishers handle rights management, licensing, and revenue collection on your behalf.
What do publishers do?
| Consider | What to discuss |
|---|---|
| Expert Management | Handle all paperwork, registrations, and administrative tasks. |
| International Reach | Access to global collection networks and international licensing opportunities. |
| Additional Services | Sync licensing, advance payments, promotion, and career development. |
| Legal Protection | Professional contract negotiation and rights enforcement. |
Publisher Discovery
| Territorial Rights | Filter publishers by the countries where they operate. |
|---|---|
| Verified Publishers | See ratings, reviews, and verification status from other artists. |
| Deal Terms | Compare commission rates, advances, and service offerings. |
Sending Publisher Requests
When you find a publisher you'd like to work with, your request can include:
- Target territories for representation
- Preferred collecting societies
- Requested services (performance rights, sync licensing, etc.)
- Your artist pitch and current metrics
- Portfolio of your best songs
- Proposed revenue split and deal terms
African Collecting Societies
The societies listed below are included for reference; publishers in our network may have relationships with them for broader territorial coverage.
| Country | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Malawi | COSOMA |
| Nigeria | COSON |
| South Africa | SAMRO |
| Kenya | MCSK |
| Ghana | GHAMRO |
| Tanzania | COSOTA |
| Uganda | UPRS |
| Rwanda | SOCRAM |
| Zimbabwe | ZIMURA |
| Zambia | ZAMCOPS |
| Mozambique | SOMAS |
| Cameroon | SOCAM |
These references do not imply a Vwaza partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from a collecting society to a publisher later?
Yes, though it depends on your existing society agreements. Work with your chosen publisher to transfer or share rights. This is generally easier for new releases than existing registrations.
How do I know if a publisher is trustworthy?
Look for verified publishers with strong ratings from other artists. Check their years in business, roster size, and ask for references.
What's a typical publisher commission rate?
Administration deals range from 10-25%. Full publishing deals (with promotion and sync licensing) range from 25-50%. Higher rates typically come with more services and advances.