Music Business · 06

Know Your Rights and Protect Your Music

Practical ways creators can document ownership and protect their work.

Protection is mostly paperwork and habits. The artists who never lose a credit are the ones who documented the session the day it happened.

Copyright basics

There are two copyrights in a release: the composition and the sound recording. Registration procedures and benefits vary by country — check the official copyright authority where you live before relying on any claim.

Composition copyright — the written song
Sound recording copyright — the specific recorded version
Co-writers and producers may hold shares in one, the other, or both
Register works where appropriate, and register with your royalty organizations

“Sign the split sheet in the room. Everything harder starts with skipping that step.”

Document the room

Sign a split sheet the same day the song is written
Note who was present, what they contributed and in what role
Back up session files and stems in at least two places, one off-site
Keep dated records: files, emails, invoices, messages
Fill metadata completely and consistently on every delivery

Samples, covers and beats

Samples require permission from both the composition and recording owners — get it in writing before release
Cover songs require the right licenses for the composition; requirements differ by country and format
Beat licenses: know exactly what you bought — an exclusive license is not the same as a non-exclusive one
Keep the beat license PDF and receipt with the project files
Put producer terms in a producer agreement, not a text message

Ownership and licensing

Know who owns your masters and whether that can change
License specific uses with a defined scope, term and territory
Never grant broad or perpetual rights casually to get a single placement

Monitoring and account security

Search your titles periodically for unauthorized uploads
Use the platforms' content identification and claim tools where you are eligible
Track each release across the services you distributed to
Never share passwords for distribution, social or banking accounts
Use unique passwords and two-factor authentication everywhere
Keep recovery emails and phone numbers current
Remove access for collaborators and former team members promptly

Before you release your music — rights checklist

Split sheet signed by every contributor
Producer terms agreed in writing
Samples, interpolations and features cleared
Cover song licensing handled where applicable
Beat license saved with proof of purchase
Composition registered with your PRO and mechanical route
Copyright registration considered where appropriate
Master ownership confirmed in writing
Metadata and ISRC verified
Session files and stems backed up in two locations
Two-factor authentication on distribution and social accounts
A calendar reminder to check statements and unauthorized uploads

Official resources

Requirements and rates change. Confirm current details directly with the organizations involved.

Educational information only — This guide is general educational information published by Drake Magazine. It is not legal advice, and Drake Magazine is not a law firm. Music-industry rules, rates and organization requirements change over time — verify details with the official organizations involved and consult a qualified entertainment attorney about your own agreements.