The Core Distinction
Every song involves two separate copyrights:
- The master recording: the actual recorded audio. Owned by the recording artist or label. Earns money from streaming, downloads, and neighbouring rights.
- The composition (publishing): the written song, its melody and lyrics. Owned by the songwriter or composer. Earns performance, mechanical, and sync royalties.
Who Collects What
| Right | Who owns it | How it earns | Who collects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master | Artist / label | Streaming, downloads, neighbouring rights | Your distributor (InterSpace) |
| Publishing | Songwriter / composer | Performance, mechanical, sync | PRO, mechanical society, or publisher |
What InterSpace Collects
InterSpace collects your master royalties from stores and services. When you are an independent artist who writes and records your own music, you own both copyrights, but the publishing money is collected through a different channel.
Do Not Leave Publishing on the Table
Many independent artists collect only their master royalties and never register for publishing, leaving significant income uncollected. To collect your publishing:
- Register with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) in your country.
- Register with a mechanical rights society (such as the MLC in the US).
- Consider a publishing administrator if you want one partner to handle it globally.