Start here / 01
The song and the recording.
A composition and a sound recording are distinct assets. Keep writer splits and master ownership in separate records, then link the two.
Read the basics ↓For creators / Learn the business
Know what you own.
Know what comes next.
Plain-English starting points for songwriters, artists, and creative teams. Build understanding alongside the infrastructure.
Get organized / 02
Before you submit a work.
A title is not a complete record. Start with the people, contributions, agreements, and identifiers that support it.
Open the checklist ↓New workflows / 03
Document your process.
Traditional or AI-assisted, a useful creative record captures the human contribution and the history behind the final work.
Explore creative documentation ↗Publishing basics
Different jobs. Different systems.
What does a music publisher do?
Music publishing focuses on the underlying composition. An engagement may include administration, catalog stewardship, licensing, and creative support. The agreement defines the actual responsibilities and rights involved.
How is administration different from distribution?
Publishing administration organizes and manages composition-related records and workflows. Distribution delivers recordings to music services. One does not automatically replace the other.
Does a work record prove ownership?
A record organizes the information. Ownership depends on the facts, agreements, and applicable law. Unresolved splits and permissions need to be addressed, not simply entered into a database.
Why do splits matter?
Writer splits document how contributors have agreed to divide the composition. They should be confirmed by the relevant parties and linked to supporting documentation.
What if AI was part of my workflow?
Keep a record of the human contribution, relevant tool use, source material, and revisions. Be clear about the process and identify questions that need qualified review.
A practical starting point
Your publishing-readiness checklist.
- Collect work titles, alternate titles, and available versions.
- Confirm writer names, contact details, society affiliations, and available identifiers.
- Document contributions and confirm composition splits.
- Gather publishing agreements and relevant permissions.
- Link recording and release information without merging the underlying rights.
- Collect existing registration records and submission references.
- Record creative process notes and relevant AI use.
- List unresolved questions and assign a next action.