If you’re releasing music as an independent artist, understanding the rights attached to your work is essential. In most countries, your music is automatically protected by intellectual property law. This protection generally covers two areas: the copyright in the master recording and the copyright in the composition (often referred to as the publishing side). These rights exist from the moment you write, record, produce, or release a song.
Because rights management varies by country, it’s worth checking with your local collecting societies to see how things work where you live. As a rights holder, you can authorize these organizations to license your music, track its usage, and collect royalties on your behalf. This may include income from radio and TV airplay, digital broadcasts, public performances in venues such as shops and restaurants, mechanical royalties, and live performances.
In this article, we’ve outlined the key points to help you protect your rights and make sure you’re collecting the revenue your music earns.
As we already mentioned, music rights are commonly divided into two categories: publishing and master rights. Understanding both ensures you’re collecting all the revenue your music generates.
Copyrights cover the underlying song - the lyrics and melody - and are typically split between the songwriter/composer share and the publisher share.
Many independent artists manage their own publishing, so there is no division here and you own 100% of the copyright. However, working with a publisher can help you access additional opportunities - such as sync placements (licensing music for use with visual media like film, TV, or ads) and royalty administration - in exchange for a percentage of income.
These rights generate:
* Performing royalties: earned when your song is played on the radio, performed live, or used publicly
* Mechanical royalties: earned when your composition is reproduced, for example through streaming, downloads, or physical copies
To collect this income, you should register your songs with your local collecting society. Make sure titles are properly registered - either by yourself or through a publisher - so royalties can be tracked accurately. You can find a list of composition collecting societies here.
Neighbouring rights cover the actual sound recording - the performance captured in the studio. These rights exist to benefit the performing artists and, where applicable, the producer or master owner.
Independent artists who fund and produce their own recordings may be eligible to collect royalties for both the performer and producer/master shares. (In this context, “producer” refers to the person or company who financed the master recording, not the person who arranged or played instruments).
These rights generate income whenever your recordings are:
• Played on radio or TV
• Streamed or broadcast online
• Performed in public spaces such as shops, restaurants, or clubs
It’s important to register with your local collecting society to claim these royalties. Accurate registration typically includes details such as performer credits, session musicians, and release year. If you created and financed the recording yourself, check with your society to claim all applicable royalties - unless you’ve licensed the rights to a label or another intermediary. Check out this list to find out what your local neighbouring rights collecting society is.
Key takeaway: As an independent creator, you generally own these rights by default. It is also your responsibility to register and claim your works directly with the relevant collecting societies, because distributors (such as MakeWaves) do not provide this service and these organisations require performers and writers to verify their identity to protect personal rights.
Depending on your career stage and goals, you may choose to transfer or license (some) of these rights to a label, publisher, or investment partner - but this is not required. When considering a collaboration with a label or publisher, it’s advisable to review what is offered with an attorney, particularly regarding the transfer of rights or the duration of copyright clauses. This way, you understand your leverage and the options available to manage your rights independently.
Now you know the basics of music rights and how they generate income, it can be helpful to further explore how rights and royalties specifically work in your country.
Different territories have their own collecting societies, which may cover additional income streams - for example, in the Netherlands, NORMA handles remuneration for live performances broadcast on TV. Songwriters can also register their compositions to ensure they are marked as the original creator, such as through I-DEPOT in the Benelux or the U.S. Copyright Office.
Checking local legislation and societies can help you make sure you’re claiming everything your music earns.
Related content