This U.S. Census Bureau NAICS-based industry comprises establishments primarily engaged acquiring and registering copyrights for musical compositions in accordance with law and promoting and authorizing the use of these compositions in recordings, radio and television, motion pictures, live performances, print, or other media. These establishments represent the interest of songwriters or other owners of musical compositions to produce revenues from the use of such works, generally through licensing agreements. These establishments may own the copyrights or act as administrator of the music copyrights on behalf of copyright owners.

Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

  • Publishing, including publishing and printing, sheet music--are classified in 51223010, Sheet music publishers;
  • Independent songwriters who act as their own music publishers--are classified in 71151000, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers; and
  • Publishing, including publishing and printing, music books--are classified in 51223020, Music book publishers.