In standard digital distribution, an artist or label usually grants the distributor the right to distribute the sound recording, meaning the specific master recording of the track.

For example, an artist records a song, owns the master or has the right to use it, submits the release to a distributor, and this is often enough for delivery to most global music platforms.

For Chinese platforms, this may not be enough. China may require confirmation of rights not only to the recording itself, but also to the musical work behind it: the music and lyrics.

In simple terms, for China it may be necessary to confirm not only master rights, but also composition rights.

The Difference Between a Sound Recording and a Musical Work

One track may include two different rights objects.

A sound recording is the specific recorded version: the final WAV file, master recording, recorded vocals, instruments, arrangement, mix and the exact version submitted for distribution.

Rights to the sound recording usually belong to the artist, label, producer or another owner of the master.

A musical work is the song itself: the music and, if applicable, the lyrics. This includes melody, harmony, musical structure, lyrics and the authorial part of the work.

Rights to the musical work may belong to authors, composers, songwriters, publishers or other rightsholders.

This is why one track may have different rightsholders: one for the master recording and another for the music and lyrics.

Why Master Rights Are Often Enough for Many Platforms

On many international DSPs, the distributor primarily works as a supplier of sound recordings. Its role is to deliver the master recording, metadata and cover artwork to platforms.

The client usually guarantees that they own the sound recording or have the right to distribute it, do not infringe third-party rights and are responsible for author, publishing, sample and other related rights.

That is why the distributor does not always check composition rights separately before every delivery. In many countries, author and publishing royalties are administered through separate systems: PROs, collecting societies, publishers, mechanical licensing entities or platform mechanisms.

For China, the approach may be stricter.

Why Composition Rights Require More Attention for China

Chinese platforms and local partners may require a more complete rights chain. Online music placement may involve not only the use of the sound recording, but also the use of the song itself — the music and lyrics.

The key question for China is: does the client have the right to authorize the use not only of the recording, but also of the musical work inside that recording, in China and on Chinese online platforms?

If this right is missing or not confirmed, the platform, local partner or distributor may face a claim from an author, publisher, collective management organization or another rightsholder.

Why This Is Especially Important for China

Chinese platforms may use music more broadly than simple streaming. A release may be used in different scenarios inside the platform ecosystem:

• lyrics display;
• translations;
• karaoke features;
• short-video use;
• UGC;
• music videos;
• paid downloads;
• VIP access;
• promotional placements;
• recommendations;
• use of track fragments inside the service.

The broader the use, the higher the chance that master rights alone may not be enough.

China also has local collective management organizations for copyright and related rights. Because of this, the question may arise: who is authorized to permit the use of the work — the author, publisher, collective management organization or another representative?

Simple Example

An artist records a cover of a well-known song. They pay for the studio, record vocals, make the arrangement and own their master recording.

From the sound recording perspective, everything may be fine: the recording belongs to the artist. But the song itself — the music and lyrics — belongs to the authors or publisher of the original work.

If the artist submits only their own master recording and does not have permission to use the composition in China, this may not be enough for Chinese platforms.

The same may apply to covers, remixes, song translations, adaptations, tracks based on purchased beats, songs with several authors, releases with samples and cases where the label owns the master but does not control publishing.

What the Client Should Confirm

For delivery to Chinese platforms, the client should understand and, if necessary, confirm that:

• they have rights to the sound recording;
• they have rights or permissions for the musical work;
• the rights to the music and lyrics allow digital use in China;
• the contracts do not exclude China / Mainland China;
• the rights allow transfer of the release to the distributor and local partner;
• the use does not conflict with the rights of a publisher, author, collective management organization or another representative;
• the release is not a cover, remix, adaptation or translation without the required permissions.

When Additional Review Is Needed

Composition rights should be checked especially carefully if:

• the release is a cover, remix, adaptation or song translation;
• the track is based on someone else’s beat;
• samples are used;
• the track has several authors;
• the authors and the master owner are different people;
• the release is issued by a label, but publishing remains with the authors;
• the author has a music publisher;
• the work is registered with a collective management organization;
• the contract with the author does not directly allow use in China;
• the contract allows only the release of the master recording and says nothing about the musical composition;
• the contract does not include sublicensing rights, meaning transfer of rights through a distributor and local partner.

What This Means for Artists and Labels

This does not mean that every client must be a music publisher or fully own all author rights.

However, the client must have sufficient rights or permissions to legally submit the release for use on Chinese platforms.

If the artist wrote the music and lyrics, recorded the track themselves and did not transfer publishing to anyone, the situation is usually simpler.

If the track was created by several authors, contains third-party material or is based on another work, the documents should be checked.

If the label owns only the master but does not have permission from the authors or publisher for China, delivery of such a release may be risky.

Sundesire Media Worx Practical Rule

For most global platforms, a basic licence to the master recording may be sufficient if the client guarantees there are no infringements and remains responsible for all related rights.

For Chinese platforms, Sundesire Media Worx may additionally request confirmation that the client has the necessary rights or permissions not only to the sound recording, but also to the musical work, including music and lyrics.

This is not extra bureaucracy. It is a way to protect the client, rightsholder, distributor and platform from possible claims.

Short Checklist Before Sending a Release to China

Before sending a release to Chinese platforms, check that:

• you own the master recording or have the right to distribute it;
• you know who wrote the music and lyrics;
• all authors have approved the release;
• if there is a publisher, its rights do not prohibit delivery to China;
• if the release is a cover, remix, adaptation or translation, all required permissions have been obtained;
• if a beat is used, the licence covers commercial digital distribution and does not exclude China;
• if samples are used, rights have been cleared not only for the recording, but also for the composition;
• the contracts do not exclude China / Mainland China;
• you have the right to transfer the release through a distributor and local partner;
• you can provide supporting documents if needed.

Key Point

Master rights mean the right to use a specific recording.

Composition rights mean the right to use the song itself: the music and lyrics contained in that recording.

For standard distribution, a master licence is often enough when the client gives a general rights guarantee. For Chinese platforms, confirmation may be required for both master rights and composition rights.

That is why, before sending a release to China, you should check not only who owns the recording, but also who owns the song inside that recording.