In most cases, “forever” means the Life of the Copyright. In the US and UK, this is typically the life of the author plus 70 years (in India, it is life plus 60 years). While many traditional contracts grant rights “in perpetuity,” the law provides a “safety valve.” In the US, for example, you have a legal right to terminate a transfer of copyright after 35 years and take your songs back, regardless of what the contract says.
1. Understanding the “Grant of Rights”
When you sign a publishing deal, you aren’t usually “selling” your song; you are granting the publisher the right to manage it. There are two main types of terms:
- Fixed Term: You give them the rights for a set number of years (e.g., 5 or 10 years). After that, the rights “revert” to you automatically.
- Life of Copyright: This is the industry standard for major deals. The publisher manages the song for as long as it is protected by law (your life + 60–70 years).
2. The 35-Year “Escape Hatch” (US Law)
The US Copyright Act includes a powerful provision called Section 203.
- The Rule: Authors can terminate a grant of copyright 35 years after the deal was signed.
- The Purpose: Congress created this to give creators a “second bite at the apple.” If you signed a “bad deal” as a teenager and that song becomes a massive hit 30 years later, you can legally reclaim the ownership.
- The Catch: You must file a formal notice with the Copyright Office within a specific window (usually 2 to 10 years before the 35-year mark).
3. Comparison: Traditional vs. Audiobulb
The reason “ownership” feels scary is because traditional publishers take a piece of your pie and often keep the rights even if they stop working for you.
| Feature | Traditional Publisher | Audiobulb Administration |
| Term Length | Often “Life of Copyright” | Year-to-Year |
| Ownership | They may own 50–100% | You own 100% |
| Reversion | Often difficult/requires legal battle | Instant (Cancel anytime) |
| Royalty Cut | 15% to 50% | 0% Commission |
| Goal | To own an asset | To provide a service |
4. When “Forever” Actually Means Forever
There is one major exception where you can truly lose your songs forever: Work for Hire.
As we discussed in a previous article, if you sign a “Work Made for Hire” agreement, you are never the legal author. The company owns the song for its entire copyright life (95 years from publication), and you have no termination rights. You cannot “take back” a work for hire.
5. How to Ensure You Get Your Rights Back
If you are entering a publishing deal, look for these three clauses:
- Reversion Clause: States that if the publisher doesn’t generate a certain amount of money or “exploit” the song within 2 years, the rights return to you.
- Retention Period: Limits how long the publisher can collect royalties after the deal ends (usually 6–18 months).
- Right to Audit: Allows you to check their books to make sure they aren’t “hiding” the song’s success to keep the rights longer.
6. Why Audiobulb is the Safest Choice
The best way to ensure a publisher doesn’t own your songs forever is to never give them away in the first place.
- No Long-Term Lock-In: At Audiobulb, we charge a flat $19.99/year. If you decide to leave, you take your songs and your 100% ownership with you. There are no “termination windows” or 35-year waits.
- Active Tracking, Not Passive Ownership: Traditional publishers “own” your songs but often do nothing with them. We provide active usage tracking as a service, meaning we work for you, rather than you working for us.
Summary
Legally, a publisher can hold your rights for the “Life of the Copyright,” but international laws are increasingly siding with creators to allow for rights reversion. To stay safe, avoid “Work for Hire” agreements and choose an administration partner like Audiobulb that prioritizes your ownership over their control.
Your Next Step: Are you worried about a contract you’ve already signed? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year and let us help you manage your independent catalog so you never have to sign away your legacy again.