Reader answer checklist
This guide is structured to answer the practical questions a reader should resolve before relying on the topic.
- Direct answer
- The long-song calculation compares the configured per-unit rate with the per-minute rate multiplied by the song length and uses the greater applicable amount.
- Who this is for
- Songwriters, publishers, labels, and royalty analysts checking a mechanical royalty calculation for a song longer than five minutes.
- Practical example
- For an 8-minute-and-15-second song, round the duration according to the applicable rule, calculate the per-minute amount, compare it with the per-unit amount, and document the result.
- Limits and exceptions
- Rates, rounding rules, formats, territories, and effective dates can change; this example is not a substitute for checking the current CRB rule or contract.
- What to do next
- Record the song length, format, territory, effective date, and source rule, then compare both formula paths before invoicing or modeling payment.
Evidence records
verified- 37 C.F.R. Part 385 — Phonorecords IV — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · Part 385
Source records identify the evidence to review; they do not replace a claim-by-claim legal review. See the source index for the audit trail.
Editorial record
verified- Last edited
- 2026-07-17
- Reviewed
- 2026-08-07
- Reviewer
- Michael Ruiz
Reviewed by Michael Ruiz on 2026-08-07. Recheck date-sensitive rules and contract terms for a specific matter. See the editorial policy for the review process.
The Statutory Long Song Rule
Under the regulations set by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), physical formats (vinyl, CD, cassette) and permanent digital downloads (PDDs) are subject to a dual-rate statutory mechanic:
- For tracks 5 minutes or under: The flat statutory mechanical rate is applied (for example, 13.10¢ in the 2026 schedule).
- For tracks over 5 minutes: The Long Song Rule is triggered. Instead of the flat rate, you round any fraction of a minute *upward* to the next whole minute and multiply by the applicable statutory per-minute rate (for example, $0.0252 in 2026).
The royalty owed per composition is whichever is greater of the two rates.
Mathematical Definition
Let: - $U$ = Units sold/distributed - $F$ = Statutory flat rate ($0.1310 for 2026) - $M$ = Per-minute rate ($0.0252 for 2026) - $D$ = Track duration in seconds
$$\text{Royalty} = U \times \max(F, M \times \lceil D / 60 \rceil)$$
Practical Walkthrough
If an epic track is 8 minutes and 15 seconds long: 1. Divide seconds by 60 and round up: $\lceil 495 / 60 \rceil = 9$ minutes. 2. Multiply by the per-minute rate: $9 \times \$0.0252 = \$0.2268$. 3. Compare to flat rate: $\$0.2268 > \$0.1310$. 4. The statutory mechanical royalty is $0.2268 per unit sold in this 2026 example.