How are music royalties collected and paid out? Wondering particularly about classic musicians like Bach, but also for modern music of performers both alive and dead

Question

How are music royalties collected and paid out? Wondering particularly about classic musicians like Bach, but also for modern music of performers both alive and dead

In: 5

Answer 1

Once something goes into the public domain it no longer collects royalties.

Winnie the Pooh just entered the public domain. You could create something using Pooh but you can’t stylize it like the Disney Pooh because that imagery hasn’t entered the public domain.

When an artist creates a song they collect royalties for nearly a century. And after they die, their estate collects the royalties as long as they maintain their rights.