Skip to content
NAICS 512230, industry

NAICS 512230: Music publishers

NAICS 512230 is the industry code for music publishers. Use it on loan applications, tax forms and registrations. Explore financing for technology and start your application when you are ready.

What 512230 covers

Music publishers acquire and register copyrights for musical compositions and license and collect royalties for them.

Included in this code

  • Music publishing
  • Song catalog administration
  • Sheet music publishing

Businesses that use 512230

Independent music publisherCatalog administrator

Financing for this trade

Publishers borrow against catalog royalty streams from performance, mechanical and sync licensing, and finance catalog acquisitions with term loans secured by the copyrights. Lenders value catalogs on several years of royalty statements and song age.

Apply for funding with AI

Is 512230 the right code for a music publisher?

Yes, if you own or administer music copyrights and collect royalties on compositions. Record labels use 512250, and songwriters use 711510. Owners in this trade most often weigh it against 512250 (record production and distribution) and 533110 (lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets). The right choice is the activity that brings in the most revenue, used the same way on tax returns and loan applications.

What is the SBA size standard for 512230?

The SBA size standard for 512230 is 900 employees. SBA counts the average number of people on payroll, full time, part time and temporary, over the last 24 months, and adds in any affiliates. A music publisher under that headcount counts as small for SBA 7(a) and 504 loans and for federal small business contracts, whatever its revenue.

How are music catalogs financed?

Lenders and specialty funds lend against catalog royalty streams based on historical earnings. Acquisitions of catalogs often use term loans secured by the copyrights. Lenders review royalty statements and catalog age. Expect lenders to ask for receivables and payables agings, recent bank statements and a debt schedule, which also help a broker match the request to the right lender quickly.

What does NAICS 512230 cover?

Music publishers. Industry level code in NAICS 2022, under 51 Information, 512 Motion picture and sound recording industries, 5122 Sound recording industries, 51223 Music publishers.

What financing do NAICS 512230 businesses use?

Equipment financing, working capital, SBA loans and invoice factoring are the products placed most for technology businesses. Start an application and the AI matches the deal to lenders that fund this code.

Where do I put NAICS 512230?

On the SBA loan application, on federal Schedule C or Form 1120, on SAM.gov and state registrations, and on most lender applications. A business can report more than one code; use this one if it describes what produces most of your revenue.