What is a featured artist?

A featured artist is one of the main performers credited on the recording. Featured artists often receive a larger share of recording income. This has no automatic link to songwriting - a featured artist is not necessarily a writer unless they contributed to the composition.

The master is the final, official version of a recording. Whoever owns the master controls how that recording is licensed and monetised. This is separate from ownership of the composition.

A recording (the “master”) is the audio file created when the composition is performed and captured. Writers own the composition, whereas performers, producers, or labels typically own the recording. These two rights generate different royalties.

What are neighbouring rights?

Neighbouring rights are royalties generated from the public use of a recording, benefiting performers and master owners. Just like PROs, every country has its own Neighbouring Rights Collective Management Organisation (CMO) that collects these royalties internationally. Neighbouring rights relate to the recording, not the composition.

What is music publishing?

Publishing relates to the songwriting side of music - the melody, lyrics, and composition. Publishers work with writers and composers, who may or may not also be performing artists. A publisher’s role is to register your works correctly worldwide, track and collect all possible composition royalties that your works generate, license your works to third parties for use in film, TV and advertising, and generally protect your rights.