Music today travels faster than ever. A track released in Mumbai can be streamed in New York, played in London clubs, and synced in a Netflix show shot in Spain all within weeks. For record labels (who are often the original publishers of a track), this creates huge opportunities but also serious challenges. Global licensing laws are not uniform, and without the right partnerships, a label can easily lose out on royalties that belong to them.

Why Global Licensing Is Complicated

Every country has its own copyright framework and performance rights organisations (PROs). What works in India under IPRS may look entirely different in the US under ASCAP/BMI, or in the UK under PRS.

  • Different collection rules: Some societies distribute only once or twice a year, others quarterly.
  • Territorial restrictions: A license cleared in India does not automatically apply in Germany or Brazil.
  • Legal variations: Duration of copyright protection, digital royalty sharing rules, and neighbouring rights differ globally.
  • Black box risk: If rights aren’t properly registered internationally, royalties are collected but sit unclaimed, eventually redistributed elsewhere.

For an original publisher or record label, trying to track all of this country by country is nearly impossible.

The Role of a Sub-Publisher

This is where sub-publishers step in. A sub-publisher is a local partner in a foreign territory who manages your catalogue on your behalf.

A strong sub-publisher like Giant Robot Entertainment helps by:

  • Registering works correctly with multiple PROs worldwide.
  • Monitoring local licensing laws and ensuring compliance in each territory.
  • Claiming and collecting royalties on behalf of the original publisher.
  • Tracking sync opportunities in their local markets to increase revenue potential.
  • Preventing income loss from misallocated or unclaimed royalties.

Example Scenario

A Mumbai-based record label releases a hit track that blows up internationally. Streams on Spotify in the US, radio play in Europe, and a sync on an OTT show in Japan should all generate royalties.

  • Without a sub-publisher: The label may collect master revenue via its distributor, but publishing royalties abroad remain unclaimed or stuck in foreign PRO systems.
  • With a sub-publisher: Every usage is tracked and registered. Royalties flow back to the original publisher, ensuring no revenue is lost.

Why This Matters for Labels

For record labels that act as original publishers, global licensing isn’t just about compliance it’s about maximising revenue streams. With the right sub-publisher, you:

  • Gain a worldwide footprint without building offices everywhere.
  • Secure both writer’s and publisher’s shares in every territory.
  • Protect your catalog from falling into the royalty “black box.”

At Giant Robot Entertainment, we act as sub-publishers for labels and producers in India, ensuring their works are properly licensed and registered across the globe. Our role is simple but vital to make sure that when your music travels, your royalties travel back to you.