FAQ · Rights
Understanding Your Rights: Master vs. Composition
Every song carries two separate sets of rights: one in the recording, and one in the song itself. Knowing the difference shows you exactly what you own, and what the Master Ownership Transfer option changes.
| Topic | The master recording | The composition |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The specific recorded audio of your track: the version people hear on streaming services, in videos and on the radio. | The song itself: melody, lyrics and arrangement, independent of any one recording. |
| What the law calls it | Sound recording copyright in the US. Many countries, including Korea and EU members, protect recording owners and performers under “neighboring” or “related” rights. Copyright and performers’ rights apply according to the laws of each country. | Copyright in the musical work (music and lyrics). |
| Who owns it | Producer K by default. With Master Ownership Transfer, You (100%). | The people who create the song: its composers, lyricists and arrangers. |
| What it earns | The master share of streaming and download income, master sync fees, and royalties when the recording plays on digital radio. | Songwriter and publishing royalties: performance, mechanical and composition sync fees. |
| Who collects it | The distributor, SoundExchange (US digital radio) and neighboring-rights societies in other countries. | Performing rights organizations (such as ASCAP or BMI), mechanical collectors (such as The MLC) and publishers. |
What it is
The master recordingThe specific recorded audio of your track: the version people hear on streaming services, in videos and on the radio.
The compositionThe song itself: melody, lyrics and arrangement, independent of any one recording.
What the law calls it
The master recordingSound recording copyright in the US. Many countries, including Korea and EU members, protect recording owners and performers under “neighboring” or “related” rights. Copyright and performers’ rights apply according to the laws of each country.
The compositionCopyright in the musical work (music and lyrics).
Who owns it
The master recordingProducer K by default. With Master Ownership Transfer, You (100%).
The compositionThe people who create the song: its composers, lyricists and arrangers.
What it earns
The master recordingThe master share of streaming and download income, master sync fees, and royalties when the recording plays on digital radio.
The compositionSongwriter and publishing royalties: performance, mechanical and composition sync fees.
Who collects it
The master recordingThe distributor, SoundExchange (US digital radio) and neighboring-rights societies in other countries.
The compositionPerforming rights organizations (such as ASCAP or BMI), mechanical collectors (such as The MLC) and publishers.
One song can have many masters, such as the original, a live version or a cover, but the composition stays the same.
What Master Ownership Transfer includes
Master Ownership Transfer is available as an add-on with every package. With this option, Producer K transfers 100% ownership of the master recording we produce for you. You can release, distribute and license the recording as you choose, and you keep 100% of the revenue the master earns, such as the master share of streaming and download income and master sync fees, after your distributor’s or platform’s fees.
The transfer is confirmed in a written assignment that we email to you after your order. We connect you directly with a distributor, so your release and the master revenue sit in your own account. If your song is already out through our distribution account, we move it to yours.
Licensing the recording for film, TV, ads or games (sync) also needs permission from the composition’s owners. When you approve a license for your master, Producer K’s songwriters approve it too.
What it does not include
Composition rights are not part of this option. The composition belongs to the people who create the song: its composers, lyricists and arrangers. If you contribute to the lyrics, you’re credited as a lyricist and share equally in the songwriter royalties with the other credited writers. If you’re credited as a lyricist, we first check whether you work with a music publisher, since that affects how your share is registered.
Without this option
Without this option, Producer K owns the master recording, and your song is released under your artist name. Revenue from the master recording stays with Producer K and isn’t shared. Income from your own activities, such as live performances and broadcasts, is 100% yours. We’re also open to discussing marketing proposals you bring to us.
Other terms
- Credit
- Your release credits Producer K together with your producer’s name, for example “Produced by Producer K ([producer name])”.
- Promotion
- We encourage both sides to use the track in marketing and promotion, and we work together to grow its reach. After the transfer, both sides may keep using the track and related content in marketing. This is written into the assignment.
- Files
- You receive the final mixed and mastered audio files. Stems are included in the Premium Package and available as the Stem Files add-on ($99) with the Complete Artist Package.
FAQ
If I own the master, do I earn all the money from my song?
You earn all the revenue from the master recording, after your distributor’s or platform’s fees. Composition royalties are paid separately to the songwriters. If you contributed to the lyrics, you also receive your songwriter share.
I wrote the lyrics. What do I own?
If you contribute to the lyrics, you’re credited as a lyricist and share equally in the songwriter royalties with the other credited writers. This applies with or without Master Ownership Transfer, because the composition and the master are separate. We first check whether you work with a music publisher, since that affects how your share is registered.
Can I register my rights with collection societies?
Yes. You register your own copyright and performer’s rights in your country, and we provide the materials you need to register. As the master owner, you can register the recording with SoundExchange in the US, which collects royalties when it plays on digital radio such as SiriusXM and Pandora, and with neighboring-rights societies in other countries for radio and public performance. As the featured artist, you may also be entitled to a performer’s share through these organizations, whether or not you own the master.
This page explains music rights in general terms and is not legal advice. The terms of your order and the written assignment apply.