Global publishing collections reached a record €14.06 billion ($15.89 billion) in 2025, according to a new report from the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). The 11.9% increase came as digital remained the largest source of royalties.
Collections rose from €12.6 billion ($13.62 billion) the previous year. The inclusion of longstanding revenue from the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) for the first time accounted for 6.6% of that growth. MLC oversees publishing royalty distribution in the US.
Digital accounted for 45.6% of royalties, followed by background music and concerts at 25.8%. All other categories, including TV, radio and CDs, declined in 2025. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reported 4.8% growth for record labels collectively over the same period.
The report also addressed the potential effect of artificial intelligence as major labels and publishers sign licensing deals with AI music companies. CISAC Director General Gadi Oron said: “Our confederation now faces its largest test with artificial intelligence, new business models and changing patterns of consumption. This technological change also means that the future can bring real opportunities for creators… The issue is no longer whether AI will transform our industries, but whether the systems that protect creators’ rights are evolving quickly enough to keep pace.”
CISAC President and ABBA co-founder Björn Ulvaeus said: “Human creativity is not something to be replaced or bypassed. It is something to be valued, protected and celebrated. And I hope that if we get it right, artificial intelligence will not diminish human creativity but will help inspire its next chapter.”
CISAC is a nonprofit representing 225 collective management organizations in 110 countries.
