Watch (required)
Who owns the master vs who owns the song (0:24–1:47)
Note: This player is intentionally limited to 0:24–1:47 to keep Lesson 1B about ownership/roles only.
B — Ownership & roles
Lesson 1A separated the “song” from the “master.” Lesson 1B answers the next question: who usually owns each side, and which role controls it in practice.
The two ownership questions
- Composition (C): typically owned/controlled by the songwriter(s) and/or their publisher.
- Sound Recording (SR): often owned/controlled by the artist, a label, or whoever financed/controlled the recording under the deal.
Two works, two ownership tracks
├─ Composition (C): writers / publishers
└─ Sound Recording (SR): artist / label / financier
Pop quiz (instant feedback)
Lesson 1B check-in (3 questions)
Choose one answer per question. If wrong, the correct answer will be highlighted.
1) A singer writes the lyrics and melody. A label funds the studio and contractually owns the master. Which statement is most accurate?
2) Which role is most directly tied to composition ownership?
3) A producer did not write any melody/lyrics, but is credited as a producer and is paid a percentage of master revenue. Which side is that most closely associated with?