Credits & Royalties
At KS.Production, I believe everyone who makes a meaningful creative contribution to a song should be properly recognised and credited.
To avoid confusion, all credits, songwriting splits, royalty arrangements and ownership details will be discussed and agreed upon before the relevant work begins.
Loop & Sample Credits
When you purchase a loop, sample, or other musical product from Kayla (KS.Production), the applicable product licence will determine how that material can be used.
Where a purchased loop or sample is used in a commercially released song, Kayla (KS.Production) should be credited where the applicable licence requires or requests a credit.
Where a royalty or songwriting share applies, Kayla (KS.Production) will provide the relevant credit and percentage information as part of the applicable licence or agreement.
Recording & Production Credits
When Kayla (KS.Production) provides recording or production services, the applicable agreement will specify whether the project is being completed on:
- A fee-only basis.
- A combination of a service fee and royalty/split.
- Another arrangement between Kayla (KS.Production) and the Client.
If Kayla (KS.Production) makes a genuine creative contribution to the composition or musical construction of a song, Kayla may be entitled to a songwriting or composition share.
This may apply where Kayla (KS.Production) contributes an element such as:
- Melodies
- Chord progressions
- Musical arrangements
- Instrumental parts
- Beats
- Hooks
- Other original musical ideas
Any songwriting or royalty percentage will be discussed and agreed upon before the relevant work begins and recorded in writing where applicable.
Simply recording a song or providing technical assistance does not automatically give Kayla (KS.Production) a songwriting share.
Mixing & Mastering Credits
Mixing and mastering are separate from songwriting and composition.
Where a royalty, master share or other compensation arrangement has been specifically agreed, the details will be outlined in the applicable agreement before work begins.
Where appropriate, Kayla may be credited as:
Mixed by KS.Production
or
Mastered by KS.Production
Depending on the service provided.
Recording, Mixing & Mastering Packages
If Kayla (KS.Production) provides recording, mixing and mastering as part of the same project, the applicable agreement will clearly state whether the arrangement includes:
- Service fees
- Songwriting credits
- Producer credits
- Royalty or revenue shares
- Other agreed compensation
Where Kayla (KS.Production) has contributed creatively to the songwriting or musical construction of the track, a songwriting split may be negotiated.
The final agreed percentages will always be documented before the relevant work begins.
Songwriting & Producer Splits
There is no universal percentage that automatically applies to every producer or recording session.
Songwriting splits should reflect the actual creative contribution of the people involved and should be agreed between all relevant contributors.
For example, a producer who creates musical material, melodies, chord progressions, arrangements or other substantial elements of a composition may be entitled to a songwriting share.
A producer who is solely providing technical recording services may not necessarily receive a songwriting share.
Where a songwriting split has been agreed, all contributors should confirm the agreed percentages before the song is registered.
APRA AMCOS recommends agreeing songwriting splits in advance and putting those agreements in writing.
Master & Sound Recording Rights
Songwriting ownership and master recording ownership are separate matters.
The master is the actual sound recording of the song, while the songwriting rights relate to the underlying musical work and lyrics.
Where Kayla (KS.Production) is entitled to a percentage of the master recording or revenue generated from the master, this will be specifically stated in the applicable agreement.
Any master ownership or royalty arrangement will be confirmed in writing before the recording is released.
Credits
Where a credit has been agreed, the client agrees to provide Kayla (KS.Production) with the appropriate credit wherever reasonably possible, including applicable:
- Streaming platforms
- Social media
- YouTube
- Music videos
- Digital releases
- Physical releases
- Promotional materials
- Artist websites
- Press releases
- Metadata and release information
The appropriate credit may include:
Produced by KS.Production
Co-Produced by KS.Production
Recorded by KS.Production
Mixed by KS.Production
Mastered by KS.Production
Or another credit agreed upon for the specific project.
Where a platform does not provide an appropriate credit field, reasonable efforts should be made to provide credit elsewhere, such as the song description, social media, website or promotional material.
Song Registration & Royalty Collection
Where songwriting or composition splits have been agreed, the relevant contributors are responsible for ensuring that the song is correctly registered with their applicable performing rights organisation or collection society.
For Australian songwriters and producers, this may include APRA AMCOS.
APRA AMCOS requires agreed songwriting shares to be entered when registering a musical work, and the agreed songwriter percentages should total 100%.
Kayla (KS.Production) may provide relevant information required to register its agreed contribution, but the responsibility for ensuring that registrations are accurate ultimately remains with the relevant rights holders.
Written Agreements
All royalty, ownership and credit arrangements must be agreed in writing before the relevant work begins.
Where a project has a different royalty or credit arrangement from the standard information listed here, the specific agreement will determine the applicable arrangement.
Changes to an agreed split or ownership arrangement will be confirmed in writing by all relevant parties.
Important Information
Kayla’s (KS.Production) involvement in a project does not automatically mean that KS.Production owns part of the song or master recording. Royalties, songwriting shares, master ownership and credits are separate matters and should be treated separately.
Disputes & Changes
If there is a disagreement regarding credits, songwriting splits, royalties or ownership, the parties should first refer to the signed agreement applicable to the project.
Any proposed change to an agreed split or credit should be discussed with all relevant contributors and confirmed in writing before being implemented.
Kayla (KS.Production) reserves the right to withhold delivery of final files or release-related materials where payment or another contractual obligation remains outstanding, to the extent permitted by the applicable agreement and law.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about KS.Production’s credit and royalty practices and does not constitute legal advice. Specific rights, ownership, royalty and credit arrangements are governed by the agreement entered into between the relevant parties. If you are unsure about your legal rights or obligations, you should obtain independent legal advice.