Roger, I don't know how or if you collaborate and/or share song-writing credits but imagine this: Someone brings you a really nice, somewhat unusual chord progression and demos it strumming on acoustic for three minutes. You write a melody line for it. Would you not think it was reasonable that you get at least a share of the writer's credit?

That's essentially what I've done...wrote a (hopefully) good progression. It's something beyond the usual, and because it is BIAB, it's something more produced and polished than a guitar strumming. My guy might spice up the progression with complimentary lines, licks, etc. Is he a co-writer? No. Neither is PGMusic or the players on RealTracks. He got paid and I got what I got.

But my guy MIGHT write a beautiful, coherent, hummable melody from my progression that works as a complete piece of music on its own, even if it no longer needs my progression at all. Is he a co-writer? Forgetting what the law says...I think he is. My having paid him does not mean he is not. If music business lawyers need to get involved to justify their existence, we'd just call it an advance on future royalties. smile Indeed, he may even turn out to be the primary writer. And I'm not the least bit sad about it!

A good number of my songs have started this way...someone else's chord progression in a produced work (backing?) inspires my vocal melody. (on the music side of the write). I guarantee you, I think I'm co-writer of the music...but I'd NEVER EVER contest that if he thought differently. I would not have done MY bit if he had not does his.

Again, song-writing and music composition may be two different worlds and models. I'm not trying to parse the two. I'm not trying to protect myself. I'm not trying to either follow or break custom. I'm just looking for coherent info on how to set up shop so I can do what I want.

BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground