For too long, artists have had to choose between rigid publishing deals or low-quality admin services. KOSIGN eliminates that tradeoff—offering best-in-class publishing administration with total flexibility and transparency.
Music publishing platforms have become essential for songwriters looking to manage their rights, track earnings, and collect royalties efficiently. However, while many services promise transparency and efficiency, few offer the robust infrastructure, direct licensing, and technology that KOSIGN does.
KOSIGN stands out because it combines the streamlined, user-friendly platform that songwriters crave with the power of a major publisher’s infrastructure. Powered by Kobalt, one of the world’s leading global music publishers, KOSIGN offers a unique solution for songwriters who want independence and transparency without sacrificing top-tier administration.
As David Waite, Chief of Staff at Kobalt, explains:“KOSIGN is absolutely an intuitive platform. But really, when you define what it is, you should really be considering the infrastructure as that of a major publisher.”
This combination of cutting-edge technology and global infrastructure gives KOSIGN members unparalleled access to resources that were previously reserved for major artists. With KOSIGN, songwriters can enjoy the benefits of a major publishing platform while maintaining control over their own songs and royalties.
2. Why is KOSIGN’s Selective Model a Game-Changer?
Quality Over Quantity, Always
Unlike other ‘flexible’ admin platforms that anyone can join, KOSIGN is highly selective via application and/or invite. The reason is simple: open-to-all publishing platforms often get overwhelmed, leading to slower collections and weaker service. KOSIGN, on the other hand, is committed to delivering the same best-in-class admin quality, transparency, and service that Kobalt is known for.
As Jacob Paul, Director of Music Publishing at Kobalt, explains, “KOSIGN is not open to everyone. It’s available via application or invite, ensuring that we prioritize quality over volume.”
This approach allows KOSIGN to maintain its commitment to transparency, trust, and high-quality admin service. Songwriters who join the platform benefit from the same superior service platform, powerful tools, and expertise of Kobalt’s admin team, which works with some of the world’s most iconic artists and songwriters.
3. How Does Kobalt’s Infrastructure Give Kosign a Competitive Edge?
Kobalt’s Global Network & Negotiation Power
One of KOSIGN’s biggest advantages is that it runs on the same powerful infrastructure relied on by some of the biggest songwriters and catalogs in the world.
“When we sit down at the negotiation table with Spotify or others, by virtue of the fact that the Kobalt catalog is premium in nature, the KOSIGN catalog benefits in the same way,” says David Waite, Chief of Staff at Kobalt.
Unlike other admin services that operate on the fringes of the publishing ecosystem, Kobalt is one of the biggest independent music publishers in the world. It negotiates directly with major DSPs, platforms, and rights organizations alongside the industry's top players.
That means KOSIGN members benefit from the same world-class admin infrastructure used by chart-topping artists and songwriters—without being locked into long-term deals.
Kobalt’s publishing platform was built for the digital era, handling the massive scale and complexity of global streaming far more efficiently than legacy publishers. This is what gives KOSIGN members a faster, more accurate, and transparent royalty experience.
The AMRA Advantage: Direct Licensing & Faster Payments
KOSIGN members also reap the benefit of AMRA, the only global digital collection society, giving songwriters a direct pipeline to streaming royalties without unnecessary intermediaries.
Kobalt Director of Music Publishing Jacob Paul explains, “Kobalt is the only publishing admin platform that owns its own PRO, called AMRA, which lets Kobalt and KOSIGN license digital income directly with streaming platforms outside the United States. You are literally collecting your money faster and more directly, with fewer middlemen taking a cut of your earnings.”
Traditional publishers, meanwhile, rely on multiple regional collection societies, each taking a cut and slowing down payments as they pass through layers of administration.
By cutting out unnecessary third-parties, KOSIGN ensures that songwriters get paid faster and more accurately—a huge advantage in an industry where payments are often delayed by months or even years.
This direct licensing approach, with its enriched level of data granularity and transparency, also means songwriters can track exactly where their money is coming from, with real-time insights into royalties, song performance, and trends.
4. Why is Data Quality and Transparency So Critical for Songwriters?
High-Quality Data Management
One of the most important features of KOSIGN is its commitment to data quality and security. Adam Foster, Senior Product Manager at Kobalt, emphasizes that Kosign is built with cutting-edge technology, managed by industry experts who understand the nuances of music publishing.
“We take enormous pride in the work we do, which is reflected in the quality of the data,” says Foster. “People can trust us to look after their life’s work. It’s more than just data to us. We appreciate it and take great care with it.”
By working with a network of trusted partners and collection organizations, Kosign ensures that royalties are collected and distributed with the utmost care and reliability.
Real-Time Transparency
KOSIGN provides songwriters with real-time transparency throughout the entire publishing process. Paul explains, “You can see real-time updates on your registrations and earnings. You can see royalty updates by territory, by platform, by song. You can submit songs in a streamlined way, and the admin team that handles your copyrights is the same one managing the copyrights of top-tier artists.” This visibility into the status of registrations, royalties, and earnings ensures that songwriters always know where they stand.
KOSIGN’s user-friendly portal allows for clear visualizations of earnings and data, making it easier for songwriters to track their royalties by song, platform, and territory.
5. How Does KOSIGN’s Design Make Publishing Easier for Songwriters?
User-Centric Platform Design
KOSIGN’s design is tailored to meet the unique needs of songwriters. As Foster notes, “The entire platform is designed with songwriters in mind. We’ve spent a huge amount of time working with them to understand their needs.” This feedback-driven design ensures that every feature and tool is crafted to streamline the music publishing process for songwriters, making it easy for them to manage their songs and royalties.
Whether accessing the platform via desktop or mobile, KOSIGN provides a seamless experience across devices — ensuring artists and songwriters can manage their publishing catalog and track their earnings wherever they are. As Foster puts it, “We’re conscious of our clients always being on the move, and we very much feel that our portal is the gold standard in music publishing technology.”
Efficient Song Submission and Insights
The only step KOSIGN members need to ensure their songs are registered worldwide is submitting those songs to KOSIGN. Fortunately, KOSIGN makes the song submission process simple and intuitive, allowing songwriters to focus on what they do best: creating music. The platform also offers powerful tools for tracking earnings and song performance, providing valuable insights into which songs are generating the most royalties.
These tools are designed to help songwriters optimize their revenue and make smarter decisions about their music.
World-Class Admin Team
Kosign’s admin team is another key factor that sets it apart from other platforms. As Jacob Paul notes, “The admin team that handles your copyrights is the same one that registers songs by Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney, Childish Gambino, and more.” This team’s expertise ensures that songwriters receive the highest level of attention and care when it comes to managing their royalties and copyrights.
Conclusion
Apply now to see if you qualify for Kosign and start collecting your publishing income with the world’s most powerful, flexible publishing admin platform.