Composition Rights

Audiodrome | Last Updated: March 6th, 2026 | 5 min read | Glossary

Audiodrome is a royalty-free music platform designed specifically for content creators who need affordable, high-quality background music for videos, podcasts, social media, and commercial projects. Unlike subscription-only services, Audiodrome offers both free tracks and simple one-time licensing with full commercial rights, including DMCA-safe use on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. All music is original, professionally produced, and PRO-free, ensuring zero copyright claims. It’s ideal for YouTubers, freelancers, marketers, and anyone looking for budget-friendly audio that’s safe to monetize.

Composition rights are the rights in the underlying song, such as the melody, lyrics, and core musical work. They are separate from master rights, which cover a specific recording of that song, and they often come up when you need sync, performance, or mechanical clearance.

Quick facts:
Also called: musical work rights, song rights, publishing rights in some contexts
Applies to: melody, lyrics, and song structure
Separate from: master rights, which cover the recording
Common uses: video sync, public performance, streaming, and downloads
Often handled by: songwriters, publishers, admins, and PROs.

One practical example:
A freelance editor licenses a track for a client’s product video. That project may need permission for the composition and the recording if the license does not already cover both sides, so the editor should save the license and invoice as proof.

Gotchas

Composition rights and master rights are different. You can clear the recording and still need permission for the song itself, or clear the song and still need the recording owner’s approval.
Sync is its own practical checkpoint. Pairing music with video usually raises a composition-side question, and the exact approval path depends on who controls the song.
Performance and mechanical money follow different systems. PROs handle public performance of musical works, while The MLC handles blanket digital mechanical licensing for eligible U.S. streaming and download services.
Ownership can split across several parties. A songwriter, co-writer, publisher, or administrator may each play a role, so you need to check who can approve the use and who collects the money.

FAQs

Each member who contributed creatively owns a share of the composition. Splits should be documented to avoid future conflicts.

No, but a publisher can help collect international royalties and secure placements. Without one, you’ll need to manage registration and collection independently.

The original songwriter still earns mechanical and performance royalties. The covering artist only earns from their own master recording unless they’ve rewritten or rearranged the work.

Yes. Rights can be sold in full or in part through contracts, often to publishers or investment firms. This transaction should be handled with legal review.