512230 — Music Publishers
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acquiring and registering copyrights for musical compositions in accordance with law and promoting and authorizing the use of these compositions in recordings, radio, television, motion pictures, live performances, print, or other media. Establishments in this industry represent the interests of the songwriter or other owners of musical compositions to produce revenues from the use of such works, generally through licensing agreements. These establishments may own the copyright or act as administrator of the music copyrights on behalf of copyright owners. Publishers of music books and sheet music are included in this industry.
Exclusions & Cross-References
- Establishments primarily engaged as independent songwriters who act as their own publishers are classified in
- Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers.
Overview Facts
| NAICS Code | 512230 |
|---|---|
| Industry Title | Music Publishers |
| SBA Size Standard | 900 employees |
| U.S. Establishments | 833 (Census CBP, 2023) |
| IRS PBA Code | 512200 (rolled-up match) |
| Sectors Hierarchy | Sector 51 → 512 → 5122 |
| Source / Verified | US Census 2022 NAICS Manual, Census CBP / 2026-06-28 |
Legacy SIC Concordance
Trace the historical mapping chain from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) to the modern 2022 NAICS code format.
- SIC 2731 - Books: Publishing, or Publishing and Printing (via SIC1987:2731→NAICS1997:51223→2002:512230→2007:512230→2012:512230→2017:512230→2022:512230)
- SIC 2741 - Miscellaneous Publishing (via SIC1987:2741→NAICS1997:51223→2002:512230→2007:512230→2012:512230→2017:512230→2022:512230)
- SIC 8999 - Services, NEC (via SIC1987:8999→NAICS1997:51223→2002:512230→2007:512230→2012:512230→2017:512230→2022:512230)
Suggested Product Service Codes (Advisory)
The following Product Service Codes (PSCs) are advisory suggestions aligned with this NAICS code. Note: NAICS and PSC codes map to different dimensions of procurement (industry vs. product/service). There is no official binding 1:1 crosswalk.
- PSC 5820 — Radio and Television Communication Equipment, Except Airborne
Source: DoD DPCAP PSC Selection Tool (Ingested: 2026-06-29)
Related Resources & Compliance Guides
Further regulatory reference links for NAICS code 512230:
- Sector 51 Directory Hub — List of related industries in the Information sector.
- SIC ↔ NAICS Crosswalk Tool — Look up mappings between legacy SIC codes and modern classifications.
- SBA Size Standards Guide — Complete rules and averaging periods for small business classifications.
- Calculating Annual Receipts Guide — Detailed worked example of revenue calculation rules.
- IRS Principal Business Activity Guide — How NAICS codes map to corporate and entity tax filings.
Related Industries in 5122
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is 512230 a valid 2022 NAICS code?
NAICS 512230 is 'Music Publishers', a 2022 U.S. national industry under Sector 51 (Information); the SBA small-business size standard is 900 employees.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 512230?
The SBA small business size standard for NAICS 512230 is 900 employees (based on employees).
What is the legacy SIC code mapping for 512230?
NAICS code 512230 maps to the legacy 1987 SIC codes: 2731 - Books: Publishing, or Publishing and Printing, 2741 - Miscellaneous Publishing, 8999 - Services, NEC.