In today’s music landscape, the conversation around music rights is louder than ever.
Owning your music is no longer an option – it’s a must. If you’re serious about your career, it’s crucial to know what’s at stake and why controlling your music copyright gives you the upper hand.
Let’s break it down, keep it simple, and show you why taking charge of your music rights will unlock your full potential as an artist.
Breaking Down Music Rights: Types Every Artist Should Know
Before we dive into why owning your music matters, it’s important to know what you’re actually owning. When we talk about music rights, there are several layers, each playing a critical role in how your music is used – and who gets paid.
Types of Music Rights You Should Know
- Master Rights: This refers to who owns the actual recording of the song. If you don’t own this, someone else controls how it’s distributed, sold, or used in any media.
- Publishing Rights: These rights are tied to the songwriting and composition itself. If you wrote the lyrics or composed the melody, the publishing rights give you control and a slice of the profits every time it’s performed or played.
- Performance Rights & Neighboring Rights: When your song is played publicly – whether it’s on the radio, at a venue, or streamed online – performance rights apply to the publishing side, ensuring songwriters and composers get paid. On the flip side, neighboring rights apply to the master recording, compensating the performers and producers when the recording is played in public spaces like radio or clubs. Both sides work together to ensure everyone involved gets their fair share.
- Synchronization (Sync) Rights: Want your track in a movie, commercial, or video game? You’ll need sync rights. These rights ensure both the owners of the composition (publishing) and the master recording give permission. Sync deals can be incredibly valuable for independent artists, allowing them to control how their music is used in visual media – and earn revenue from it.
How to Own the Rights to Your Music & Why It’s Crucial
Owning your music rights isn’t just about money. It’s about control, power, and protecting the art you create. When you own your rights, you call the shots – and that freedom is priceless.
Creative Freedom and Control
When you own the rights to your music, no one can tell you how or where to use it. Whether it’s licensing your song to a TV show or releasing remixes, owning your music rights means the decisions are 100% yours. You maintain creative control and protect the integrity of your work.
There are plenty of examples of artists who’ve fought hard to reclaim their music rights, and once they did, their careers transformed. Owning your music copyright gives you the ability to say “yes” to the opportunities you want – and “no” to the ones that don’t align with your vision.
Maximizing Financial Earnings
The financial benefits of owning your music rights are undeniable. When you own your masters, you often have the opportunity to keep a larger share of the revenue from streaming, album sales, and licensing deals. The artist share of earnings has steadily gone up over the years, as the market has become more competitive and an artist has greater say over what deal they choose to accept in return for their creative work.
From performance royalties to licensing opportunities, owning your rights means you have more control over how your music generates revenue. While you may still choose to partner with others – whether it’s a label, distributor, or publisher – owning your masters ensures you’re in the driver’s seat. You get to decide how the profits are shared, and you keep a bigger portion compared to those who don’t have ownership.
The Steps to Owning Your Music Rights: How to Get Music Rights
So, how do you actually own your music rights? Whether you’re an up-and-coming artist or already established, it’s never too early (or too late) to protect your music and make sure you get what you deserve.
How to Own the Rights to Your Music from Day One
- Work with the Right Partner: The first step is to choose a partner who doesn’t require ownership of your music in return for their services. This should be clearly stated in your contract, ensuring that while you might collaborate or share revenue, you retain full ownership of your masters.
- Secure a Music Copyright: Owning the copyright to your music is a must if you want full control. This copyright legally protects your song from being used without your permission. Registering your music copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is a simple process that ensures your work is protected.
- Register Your Songs with a PRO: A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP or BMI ensures that you get paid for public performances. By registering your songs with a PRO, you can collect royalties every time your music is played in public spaces.
How to Monetize and Distribute Your Music Globally
Once you’ve secured your music rights, the next step is making sure you’re maximizing your earnings through music licensing rights. This is where your music can reach new audiences while you earn consistent revenue.
Navigating Publishing Rights Music Deals
When it comes to publishing rights, be cautious. Some artists prefer to stay independent and manage their own publishing, while others find value in partnering with a publisher. If you do enter into a publishing deal, make sure it’s one that benefits you in the long run, with fair terms and clear expectations on how your rights to music are handled.
Conclusion
Owning your music rights isn’t just smart – it’s essential for maintaining control over your career. However, it’s also worth noting that in today’s industry, music rights have become a valuable asset class. Many artists are choosing to sell a portion of their rights for an upfront payout, treating their catalog as a tradable asset.
Whether you hold onto your rights or decide to leverage them for financial gain, the key is ownership. It gives you options – whether it’s benefiting from every stream and performance or strategically trading your rights when the time is right.
