What’s the Difference Between Owning Publishing and Owning Masters?

Song vs. Recording

Aspect	Publishing	Master
Owns…	The composition (lyrics, melody)	The sound recording (audio file)
Registered with…	PROs (ASCAP, BMI), MLC, publisher	Distributor, SoundExchange
Paid from…	Performance, mechanical, sync	Streaming, sync, SoundExchange, sales
Key players	Songwriters, publishers	Recording artists, labels

 Publishing Ownership = Songwriting Rights

• You get paid when:
• The song is streamed
• The song is played live or on the radio
• Someone covers or samples the song
• A TV show or ad licenses the composition

 Publishing royalties are split into:

• Writer’s Share (your cut as the writer)
• Publisher’s Share (can be you, or a company)

 Master Ownership = Recording Rights

• You get paid when:
• Your version of the song is streamed or downloaded
• Someone uses your recording in a film or commercial
• Satellite radio or web radio (e.g. SiriusXM, Pandora) plays your track

 Master income is collected via:

• Distributors (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore)
• SoundExchange (non-interactive radio)
• Sync licensing agencies (TV/film deals)

 Why the Distinction Matters

If you:

• Wrote and recorded the song yourself: you own both (unless you’ve signed them away)
• Wrote a song but someone else recorded it: you own publishing, not the master
• Performed a cover song: you own the master, but not the publishing
• Signed to a label: they might own the master, while you may still retain your publishing

 Pro Tips

• Use split sheets to protect your publishing
• Use contracts or work-for-hire agreements to protect your masters
• Owning both gives you full control and 100% of all royalties
• If you sign a deal, negotiate to retain either publishing or master ownership—or get them back over time

Bottom Line:
Publishing = the songwriting rights.
Masters = the recording rights.
They generate different royalties, and owning both unlocks your full earning potential as a songwriter and artist.