In the context of miscellaneous income, what does "royalties" refer to?

Royalties refer specifically to payments made for the use of property, which can include intellectual property such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, or physical property like lands and mineral rights. When someone uses another person's property or intellectual creation, such as in the case of publishing a book, producing music, or extracting resources, they typically pay royalties to the owner based on an agreed-upon percentage of revenue or a flat fee. This form of income is categorized under miscellaneous income because it does not fit the conventional salary or wages framework; instead, it reflects earnings derived from allowing others to use one's property rights.