Royalty Disputes and Producer Points: What You’re Owed—and How to Claim It
In today’s music industry, producer points and backend royalties are often more valuable than upfront payments. But too often, producers and songwriters don’t see the royalties they’re owed—either because of unclear agreements, industry confusion, or outright non-payment.
At The Jones Firm, we help music creators track, enforce, and collect the royalties they’ve earned. Here’s what every producer and songwriter needs to know about protecting their backend.
What Are Producer Points?
“Points” refer to a producer’s percentage of net revenue from master recordings, usually tied to record sales or streaming revenue.
- 1 point = 1% of net revenue
- Producers typically receive 2–5 points on a major release
- Points are often subject to recoupment, meaning they don’t kick in until label expenses are recovered
Example:
If a song generates $1 million in net revenue and a producer has 3 points, they are entitled to $30,000—if the label’s expenses have been recouped.
Royalty Disputes: Where Things Go Wrong
- No Written Agreement
Verbal promises or vague emails won’t hold up. Without a signed production or split agreement, enforcing your royalty rights is an uphill battle. - Unclear Split Sheets
For songs with multiple producers and writers, missing or inaccurate split sheets lead to credit errors and unpaid royalties. - Delayed Accounting or Lack of Transparency
Some labels or artists avoid regular reporting or fail to register songs properly with PROs, publishers, or distributors. - Recoupment Disputes
If your deal is tied to recoupment, labels may delay or manipulate expense reporting to avoid payout obligations.
How to Enforce Your Royalty Rights
- Use a formal production agreement that defines points, royalties, recoupment, credit, and payment timelines
- Register your credits with PROs (ASCAP, BMI), SoundExchange, and publishing admin platforms
- Request formal accounting statements and audit rights in your contracts
- Work with an entertainment attorney to send royalty demand letters, audit statements, or file claims when necessary
Conclusion
Backend points are a producer’s long-term payday—but only if they’re properly documented and enforced. At The Jones Firm, we help producers and songwriters lock in their rights, chase unpaid royalties, and negotiate fair deals that hold up long after the track goes live.
Not sure if you’re getting paid what you’re owed? Let’s review your agreement.
