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Royalty Information & Resources

With over 25 years of royalty management experience, MetaComet® Systems has mastered the science of calculating, paying, and reporting on royalties. We’ve compiled these resources to help you do the same.

IP licensing for commercial use

Intellectual Property Licensing | Agreements & Royalty Rates

by David Marlin | July 8, 2025

Let's break down what an intellectual property license is, explore different types of IP licenses, explain what goes into an IP licensing agreement, and walk through royalty rates and licensing fees. We’ll also share best practices to help manage intellectual property licensing deals with clarity and confidence.

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David Marlin and Joshua Tallent

Register Now: IBPA PubU Online: Evaluating New Technology for Publishers

by MetaComet Systems | July 8, 2025

How do you best approach, evaluate, and implement new technologies for your publishing business? Experts David Marlin (MetaComet Systems) and Joshua Tallent (Firebrand Technologies) share a framework for considering technology options and a checklist for evaluating vendors.

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Managing Royalties in Biotech, Pharma, and MedTech

Managing Royalties in Biotech, Pharma, and MedTech

by MetaComet Systems | June 30, 2025

In this episode of The Life Science Rundown podcast, MetaComet president and co-founder David Marlin discusses how biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device firms struggle to manage licensing agreements as they scale. What starts as a simple once-a-year payment can quickly evolve into a tangled web of tiered rates, stacked IP, country-specific rules, and audit requirements.

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Royalty agreements: What they are, why they matter, and how to set them up.

Royalty Agreement | Examples, Definition & Information

by David Marlin | June 26, 2025

Royalty agreements are sometimes regarded as the domain of legal professionals, and there’s no doubt they can be complicated. But everyone involved in the creation and sale of IP should understand the basics.

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Author royalties: what licensees need to know

What Are Author Royalties? What Licensees Need to Know

by David Marlin | June 4, 2025

Here’s our guide to how author royalties work, what licensees can do to manage them efficiently, and how MetaComet can help.

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How to navigate invention royalties.

Invention Royalties: Understanding Agreements & Calculations

by David Marlin | May 21, 2025

Royalties are at the core of invention and innovation in biotech. But establishing agreements, calculating rates, and handling payments can be complex, and processes don’t always get the investment they deserve.

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How Royalties Are Paid: A Guide for Licensees and Publishers.

How Royalties Are Paid: A Guide for Licensees & Publishers

by David Marlin | May 12, 2025

At MetaComet, we work with financial professionals across a wide range of industries to make royalty processes smoother, more accurate, and more efficient. In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions from licensees and publishers about how royalties are paid.

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How Patent Royalties Work.

What are Patent Royalties? Agreements & Reporting Explained

by David Marlin | May 2, 2025

For finance professionals working in biotech, understanding how patent royalties work is essential for managing budgets, structuring agreements, ensuring compliance, and supporting strategic business decisions.

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Publishing Industry Solutions | Software for Business

Publishing Industry Solutions | Software for Business

by David Marlin | April 8, 2025

In an era of rapid transformation, the book publishing industry is under more pressure than ever to modernize, streamline operations, and do more with fewer resources. Choosing the right software makes a huge difference for any publishing company’s success.

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Royalty Statements

Royalty Statements Guide | Info, Examples & Solutions

by David Marlin | April 7, 2025

Learn how to format, read, and interpret royalty statements, and spot errors.

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Older Entries >>

Frequently Asked Royalty Information Questions

 

What are royalties and how are they paid?

A royalty is a payment made by one party (the licensee) to another (the licensor) for the ongoing use of an asset, commonly a piece of intellectual property. Payment methods and frequency are established in a royalty licensing agreement between the two parties. For more details, see our article entitled, “How Do Royalties Work?”

How much is the average royalty check?

Royalty payments vary widely across different industries and within industries as well, depending on the value of the asset being licensed, the sales volume within the royalty period, and many other factors. So, there is no such thing as an average, normal, or typical royalty check. To learn more about the elements that affect a royalty check, see our article, “How Are Royalties Calculated?”

How do I calculate my royalties?

Royalties are calculated based on a percentage of sales revenue or a flat fee per unit sold. The percentage or fee is agreed upon in a royalty licensing agreement between the licensor and licensee. The agreement will also outline other variables that will affect royalty payments. For more information, read our post, “How Are Royalties Calculated?”

Who receives royalty payments?

Royalty recipients include copyright holders (like writers, illustrators, and composers), patent owners (such as inventors), natural resource owners, and franchisors, among others. See our article, “What Are Royalties in Business?” for further examples of people and companies that receive royalty payments.

What types of royalties exist?

Common types of royalties include book publishing royalties, music royalties, patent royalties, franchise fees, and oil and gas royalties. Our blog post, “Different Types of Royalties,” goes into more detail about the various types of royalties you may encounter.

How often are royalties paid out?

Payments are typically made quarterly or annually, and sometimes monthly or semiannually, depending on the terms of the royalty agreement.

What is included in a royalty agreement?

A royalty licensing agreement will include, at a minimum, a definition of the rights granted, usage conditions, and payment terms. Our article about “How Do Royalties Work?” delves into the deeper details of royalty agreements.

Are royalties taxed?

Yes, royalty payments are taxed as income.

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Familius
IPG
John Marshall Media
Nelson
Dragonblade
Trafalgar Square Books
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MetaComet Systems provides software designed to streamline and optimize your royalty management processes. Our royalty accounting and financial tracking solutions are tailored to the unique needs of your business, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and peace of mind. We invite you to meet our dedicated team and join the ranks of satisfied clients who have transformed their operations with MetaComet Systems today.

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