In a typical recording agreement, which right is not typically granted to the producer?

• A. Producer’s credit on the recording
• B. A share of the master royalties
• C. Ownership of the underlying composition
• D. A net profit share on masters

Answer: (C)

In a standard recording agreement, the producer’s role is tied to the master recording, not to the ownership of the song itself. The rights to the underlying composition—the actual song written by the songwriter(s)—typically stay with the writer(s) and their publisher. The producer is usually compensated for their work on the master through credits and various forms of royalties tied to the recording, such as a share of master royalties or, in some deals, a net profit share on masters. They may also receive credit on the recording for their contribution. However, ownership of the underlying composition is not normally granted to the producer because that ownership belongs to the songwriters/publishers who created the musical work. The exception is when the producer is also a songwriter and holds or is granted publishing rights, but that is not the typical arrangement.