Artists Rights & Ownership
You own your music. we help you share it.
At World Culture Radio, we believe independent artists should own their music, own their brand, and own their future.
Unlike traditional record deals, joining World Culture Radio does not transfer ownership of your music to us. Our role is to provide artist development, marketing, promotion, streaming, distribution opportunities, and additional services designed to help you grow your audience and career.
This page explains, in plain language, how our relationship works. While this page summarizes the key points, the Artist Agreement remains the official legal agreement between you and World Culture Radio.
Ownership rights and responsibilities
What You Keep
When you join World Culture Radio, you continue to own your creative work.
You retain ownership of your:
- Master Recordings
- Songwriting and Composition Rights
- Lyrics
- Artist Name
- Brand Name
- Logo
- Brand Identity
- Artwork You Create
- Image and Likeness
- Copyrights
- Trademarks
- Your Career
Joining World Culture Radio does not transfer ownership of your music or your intellectual property to World Culture Radio.
What You’re Giving World Culture Radio Permission To Do
To provide our services, you grant World Culture Radio permission (a license) to use your music and related promotional materials.
This allows us to:
- Feature your music on the World Culture Radio Internet radio station.
- Stream your music through the World Culture Radio website and mobile applications.
- Include your music in our on-demand streaming service.
- Promote your music through our marketing channels.
- Display your artist name, biography, artwork, photos, logos, and promotional materials in connection with your music.
- Distribute or make your music available through approved digital distribution and monetization platforms.
- Share your music with our authorized distribution and platform partners when necessary to provide our services.
This license allows us to provide the services you’ve joined World Culture Radio to receive.
Understanding The Royalty-Free License
The Artist Agreement grants World Culture Radio a royalty-free license to use your music as described in the agreement.
What does that mean?
It means World Culture Radio does not pay an additional royalty every time your music is streamed or played on our own platform.
Instead, our relationship is governed by your membership and the Earnings Share program described in the Artist Agreement.
Royalty-Free Does NOT Mean Ownership-Free
This is an important distinction.
A royalty-free license does not mean World Culture Radio owns your music.
You continue to own your copyrights, master recordings, artist name, branding, and other intellectual property.
The royalty-free license simply gives World Culture Radio permission to stream, promote, distribute, and otherwise use your music in the ways described in the Artist Agreement so we can provide our services.
What World Culture Radio Owns
While you own your music and creative works, World Culture Radio owns the platform and the original materials we create.
Examples include:
- The World Culture Radio website
- Mobile applications
- Software and platform technology
- Branding and trademarks belonging to World Culture Radio
- Marketing campaigns created by World Culture Radio
- Advertisements produced by World Culture Radio
- Videos or promotional content created by World Culture Radio using your licensed content
- Other original materials created by World Culture Radio
Your ownership of your original music remains unchanged.
Earnings Share
World Culture Radio collects revenue generated through approved monetization platforms associated with the services we provide.
Eligible artists participate in our Earnings Share program as outlined in the Artist Agreement.
Earnings are calculated based on the terms of the Artist Agreement and are distributed according to World Culture Radio’s Earnings Share process.
If earnings are payable:
- Earnings statements are provided monthly.
- Payments are made after the minimum payment threshold established in the Artist Agreement has been reached.
- Artists are responsible for providing any required tax documentation before payments can be issued.
Can I Release My Music Somewhere Else?
Yes.
Your Artist Agreement with World Culture Radio is non-exclusive.
That means you continue to own your music and may continue working with other platforms, distributors, services, or opportunities, provided you have not entered into another agreement that limits your ability to do so.
Additional Services
Some services are included with your World Culture Radio membership.
From time to time, World Culture Radio may offer optional services designed to further support your career.
These services may include additional artist development, promotional opportunities, or other specialized offerings.
Participation in these optional services is always covered by its own separate agreement.
Leaving World Culture Radio
If you decide World Culture Radio is no longer the right fit for you, you may terminate your membership by following the cancellation process described in the Artist Agreement.
Upon termination:
- Your recurring membership obligations end according to the terms of the Artist Agreement.
- Optional service agreements also terminate unless otherwise stated.
- Any rights and obligations that survive termination under the Artist Agreement remain in effect.
Please refer to the Artist Agreement for complete details regarding termination and any continuing rights or responsibilities.
Your Responsibilities
To help protect both you and the World Culture Radio community, we ask every artist to:
- Upload only music and materials you own or have the legal right to use.
- Obtain permission from any collaborators before submitting shared works.
- Ensure your information is accurate and up to date.
- Keep your payment information current.
- Comply with all applicable laws and the World Culture Radio Artist Agreement.
- Cooperate with World Culture Radio when additional information is needed to verify ownership of submitted works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Still Own My Music?
Yes. You retain ownership of your music, copyrights, master recordings, artist name, and other intellectual property.
Does World Culture Radio Own My Masters?
No. Your master recordings remain your property.
Why Do I Grant World Culture Radio a License?
The license allows us to stream, promote, distribute, and market your music while providing the services included in your membership.
Does “Royalty-Free” Mean You Own My Music?
No.
Royalty-free simply means World Culture Radio does not pay an additional royalty each time your music is used on our own platform under the Artist Agreement.
Ownership of your music remains with you.
Can I Release My Music Elsewhere?
Yes. World Culture Radio operates under a non-exclusive agreement.
Can I Work With Another Distributor?
Yes, unless another agreement you’ve signed restricts you from doing so.
How Do I Get Paid?
Eligible artists participate in the Earnings Share program described in the Artist Agreement. Earnings statements are issued monthly, and payments are made according to the terms of the agreement.
Who Owns the Promotional Materials World culture Radio Creates?
World Culture Radio owns the original advertisements, videos, marketing materials, and other content it creates.
You continue to own your original music and intellectual property.
What Happens If I Decide To Leave?
You may terminate your membership by following the process outlined in the Artist Agreement. Please review the agreement for complete details regarding termination and any continuing rights or responsibilities.
Related Resources
- Artist Rights & Ownership: Learn how ownership, licensing, and artist rights work on World Culture Radio.
- Derivative Works: What It Means for Artists: Understand how derivative works are used, why the agreement is written broadly, and how we protect artistic integrity.
Questions?
If you have questions about your Artist Agreement or how World Culture Radio works, we’re happy to help.
Contact our team before signing if there’s anything you’d like us to explain.