Songwriting & Ownership

What is Song Ownership?

When you write a song, two separate copyrights are created automatically: the musical composition (melody + lyrics) and the sound recording (the specific recorded version). Understanding which one you own — and to what degree — is the foundation of your music career.

Composition vs. Master Recording

• Composition copyright covers the underlying song — melody, harmony, and lyrics. It's typically owned by the songwriter(s) and/or a music publisher.
• Sound recording copyright (master) covers a specific recorded version of that composition. It's typically owned by whoever paid for the recording — often the artist or their label.
• You can own both if you write and record your own music independently.

Who Owns the Copyright?

In most countries, copyright is automatically granted to the creator(s) at the moment a song is fixed in tangible form — written down or recorded. No registration is required to own it, but registration is strongly recommended (see Topic 03).

Work for Hire

If you're paid to write a song for someone else — or write it as an employee — it may be a "work for hire," meaning the person who hired you, not you, owns the copyright. Always clarify ownership in writing before starting a commissioned project.

Co-Writing

When two or more people collaborate on a song, they each hold an undivided interest in the entire work. In the US and most other territories, each co-writer legally owns an equal share unless there's a written agreement stating otherwise. Get a co-writing agreement signed before recording begins.

Duration of Copyright

Moral Rights

In many countries (especially in Europe), creators retain "moral rights" even after selling their copyright — including the right to be credited as the author and to object to distortions or modifications of the work that would harm their reputation. The US has very limited moral rights compared to Europe.