Royalty Management Information:
Software, Resources, & More
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.
Don’t Get Hacked – Protect Your Royalties
The transition to digital methods in publishing in the last couple decades has delivered some amazing efficiencies and improvements – but it has raised a few challenges too. Looming large among these is the issue of security and the need to protect the countless pieces of information that are stored in the systems we now use daily.
MetaComet® Systems Sets New Security Standards with SOC 2 Type ll Compliance
This exacting certification validates industry-leading data protection on behalf of MetaComet’s established and future clients.
Webinar: Overcoming the Five Barriers to Royalty Automation
Automating the calculation and payment of royalties is a sure-fire way to improve accuracy and efficiency. Good royalty management should be part of the strong foundations of all publishing businesses. It saves time, reduces risk, and establishes a strong reputation.
Dragonblade Case Study
California-based Dragonblade Publishing is a boutique publisher specializing in historical romance. Here, Director of Operations Shawn Morrison explains the background and benefits of Dragonblade’s partnership with MetaComet Systems.
Publishing Systems: Build or Buy?
For many independent publishers, the question of how to construct systems to support their business is a critical decision. Software and databases are crucial aspects of any publishing operation, ensuring that everything from publishing schedules to royalty management runs smoothly. And while support is available from various providers, many businesses may have sound reasons for […]
Trafalgar Square Books Case Study
About Trafalgar Square Vermont-based Trafalgar Square Books was founded in the early 1970s, and has grown into one of the world’s most respected specialists in books on horses and equestrian sport. Since the early 1990s it has also become known for its craft books in areas including knitting, crochet, weaving, sewing and embroidery. It publishes […]
Four Big Business Impacts Of Poor Royalty Management
When seeking support with royalty management, publishers have a lot of choice – but some solutions are better than others. Here are just some of the key reasons to choose MetaComet over the competition. Everyone in publishing has first or second hand horror stories to tell—of bad decisions and simple mistakes that caused serious disruption […]
Five Barriers To Royalty Management Automation – And How To Overcome Them
When we talk to publishers about the benefits of our royalty management systems, some barriers to adoption come up again and again. It’s understandable to have hesitations about adopting new systems into a business, but in our experience it is more straightforward to remedy them than you might think. Here are five of the most […]
The ROI of Royalty Automation: An IPG Podcast
We're talking about royalty management with David Marlin, President of MetaComet Systems. He’s telling us about the ways automation can make royalties easier and more cost-effective, and has got some thoughts on measuring the value of better royalty management, and on implementing new automation systems.
Nav Press Case Study: Royalty Automation = Competitive Advantage
Good royalty management makes publishers leaner, faster and safer. Here’s how MetaComet® Systems’ solutions sharpened one top publisher’s practices For some publishers, royalty management can be a chore—a process that soaks up time and frustrates publishers and authors alike. But royalty automation and software solutions from MetaComet® Systems have transformed it into a far simpler, speedier and more precise […]
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.