Why ownership matters for independent artists
Your masters are the most valuable thing you make. Here is what keeping them means, and what to check before you sign anything.
By Overtone
Every recording you release creates an asset that can earn for decades. Who owns that asset decides who benefits every time the song is streamed, synced or sampled.
Masters and publishing are not the same thing
Your master is the recording itself. Your publishing is the song underneath it: the melody and the lyrics. They earn in different ways and are often owned by different people, so it pays to know exactly which rights you hold.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Who owns the master once the deal ends?
- How long does the agreement last, and how do you leave it?
- What share of each stream reaches you, and how is it reported?
- Are your collaborators' splits written down and agreed?
Where Overtone fits
Overtone is built to deliver, track and report on your music, never to take ownership of it. Your masters and your rights stay with you.
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