Rights & Ownership Basics

The rights every producer should know

Copyright sounds intimidating, but the core ideas are simple — and they protect your income.

The two copyrights in every track

1. The composition — the written music (melody, lyrics, chord progression).
2. The sound recording (master) — the specific recorded audio.

As the producer of an original beat, you typically own both until you license or sell them away.

Splits and co-production

If you co-produced with someone or used a songwriter, agree on splits in writing before you sell. Common splits: 50/50 between co-producers, or negotiated with a topliner/lyricist. Undocumented splits become disputes later.

Protecting your work

• Keep project files and timestamps. Your DAW sessions and upload dates are evidence of authorship.
• Register important works. For high-value exclusives or sync, formal copyright registration adds real protection.
• Never sell what you don't fully own. Uncleared samples = a beat you can't legally license.

Review your catalog and confirm every track is one you have the full right to sell.