Industry Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acquiring and registering copyrights for musical compositions in accordance with law and promoting and authorizing the use of these compositions in recordings, radio, television, motion pictures, live performances, print, or other media. Establishments in this industry represent the interests of the songwriter or other owners of musical compositions to produce revenues from the use of such works, generally through licensing agreements. These establishments may own the copyright or act as administrator of the music copyrights on behalf of copyright owners. Publishers of music books and sheet music are included in this industry.
Cross-References.
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within NAICS 512230 - Music Publishers are:
- Music publishers
- Song publishers and printing combined
- Music copyright authorizing use
- Sheet music publishers and printing combined
- Music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers and printing combined
- Song publishers
- Publishers, music
- Sheet music publishers
- Music copyright buying and licensing
- Music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers
- Music, sheet, publishers and printing combined
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Independent Label Music Production in the US (51221)
Revenue 2025
$0.7bn
Growth 2025
1.73%
Key Trends
Revenue has fallen as low royalty rates from streaming have failed to make up for losses in album sales
Labels have struggled to adjust to the success of streaming services
Album sales will rise but won't bring back revenue growth
Products and Services
Similar Industries
For some business types, there may be a similar industry to 512230 - Music Publishers that is a better classification match. Establishments primarily engaged in:
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NAICS Cross Reference
Establishments primarily engaged as independent songwriters who act as their own publishers are classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers.
IBISWorld industry research report
NAICS Hierarchy 512230 - Music Publishers
NAICS Code 512230 - Music Publishers sits in the 2-digit Music Publishers sector. NAICS codes can be 2- to 6-digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be. Learn more about the structure of NAICS codes
2 Digits: 51
Sector Title: Information
3 Digits 4 Digits 5 Digits 6 Digits
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5111 Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
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51111 Newspaper Publishers
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51112 Periodical Publishers
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51113 Book Publishers
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51114 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
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51119 Other Publishers
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5112 Software Publishers
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51121 Software Publishers
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5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
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51211 Motion Picture and Video Production
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51212 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
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51213 Motion Picture and Video Exhibition
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51219 Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries
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5122 Sound Recording Industries
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51223 Music Publishers
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51224 Sound Recording Studios
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51225 Record Production and Distribution
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51229 Other Sound Recording Industries
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5151 Radio and Television Broadcasting
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51511 Radio Broadcasting
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51512 Television Broadcasting
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5152 Cable and Other Subscription Programming
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51521 Cable and Other Subscription Programming
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5173 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers
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51731 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers
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5174 Satellite Telecommunications
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51741 Satellite Telecommunications
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5179 Other Telecommunications
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51791 Other Telecommunications
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5182 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
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51821 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
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5191 Other Information Services
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51911 News Syndicates
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51912 Libraries and Archives
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51913 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
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51919 All Other Information Services
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NAICS Resources
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