Unlike Master Ownership which refers to the actual recording of a song, Copyright Ownership (also known as "Publishing") refers to the composition of a song i.e. music and lyrics.

More on Master Ownership >

There are two primary elements which make up Copyright Ownership:

Writer - if you have created the music and/or lyrics of a song, you are the writer, with your share defined by a percentage.

Control - refers to whoever has control of the copyright for any particular territory. If you are self-published, you Control 100%. If you are published, you have assigned Control to your publisher.

Note: This should not be confused with Performance Rights Organization "PRO" registration and royalty collection.

More on PRO registration and royalty collection >

Here are a few examples of different configurations of Copyright Ownership:

Example 1

Sue Anders has written the music and lyrics of a song and is self-published.

Therefore:

• Anders, Sue - 100% Writer 
• Anders, Sue - Controls the song

Example 2

Shelley Hansen has written the music and lyrics of a song and is signed to U.S. publisher, Mayberry Music.

Therefore:

• Hansen, Shelley - 100% Writer 
• Mayberry Music - Controls the song

Example 3

Shelley Hansen and Frank Carter are equal co-writers of a song. Shelley is signed to U.S. publisher, Mayberry Music. Frank is self-published.

Therefore:

• Hansen, Shelley - 50% Writer
• Carter, Frank - 50% Writer 
• Mayberry Music - Controls Shelley's 50% 
• Carter, Frank - Controls his 50%

Example 4

Jan Isa and Wally Stamos are co-writers of a song and have agreed on 30% share for Jan, 70% share for Wally. Jan is self-published. Wally is signed to U.S. publisher, Mayberry Music. Mayberry Music has a deal with UK publisher, Silver Music Publishing to represent Mayberry Music's catalog which includes Wally's song for the UK territory.

Therefore:

• Isa, Jan - 30% Writer
• Stamos, Wally - 70% Writer 
• Isa, Jan - Controls her 30%
• Mayberry Music - Controls Wally's 70% for the World excluding the U.K.
• Silver Music Publishing - Controls Wally's 70% for Mayberry Music for the U.K. only

Important notes:

• Songtradr only pays those users who are listed as Control parties
• Percentages must add up to 100%

Next Step: Learn more about how to us Songtradr's Ownership Settings >