#PAYSONGWRITERS
Here's the Facts
In 2025, the global recorded music industry generated 29.6 billion dollars. Songwriters made that music possible, yet they are not compensated from the recorded music side of the business.
In the United States, songwriters receive about 15 percent of streaming revenue. That 15 percent must then be split between publishers and all collaborators on a song. The remaining 85 percent goes to record labels and streaming platforms.
In some cases, artists or their representatives receive publishing ownership on songs they did not write. This reduces the royalties paid to the actual songwriters.
Songwriters also cannot unionize to negotiate fair pay, benefits, or working conditions. Under federal labor law, they are classified as independent contractors, which prevents them from forming a union under the National Labor Relations Act.
We call on record labels to take action
by implementing the following reforms:
Non-recoupable per diems for songwriting sessions and label-organized camps
Non-recoupable song fees for the first commercial use of a composition
Points on the master for songwriters’ contributions to the recorded music industry
We're following in the foot steps of The Ivors Academy of Music Creators #paysongwriters campaign.
