17) The ethical purpose of royalties: fairness, incentives, and cultural continuity
Beyond economics, royalties serve ethical and cultural functions that sustain the industry.
Fairness
If society benefits from music—emotionally, socially, or commercially—it is reasonable that the people who create it receive compensation when it is used to generate value.
Incentives
Royalties encourage investment in talent and production quality. They help justify the extensive time creators spend mastering their craft and refining their sound.
Cultural Continuity
When professional creation is sustainable, more diverse voices can afford to create. Without viable compensation, creation becomes limited to those with external wealth, reducing cultural diversity.
So royalties are not merely a business mechanism; they are part of how a culture sustains professional artistry and ensures long-term creative health.