A system enables sharing and locking of metadata defining a NLE project. The system controls write access of metadata by transferring ownership of the metadata between various editor users through an intermediary of a server user. Transfers of ownership of metadata are initiated by editor users. Each editor user is enabled to (a) assume ownership of metadata owned by the server user; and (b) relinquish ownership of metadata he or she owns to the server user. Editor users are only permitted to modify metadata that they own, thereby forming a “check in” and “check out” system for controlling write access to metadata. In effect, metadata is “checked in” when an editor user cedes ownership of the metadata to the server user. Metadata owned by the server user is “checked out” when an editor user assumes ownership of the metadata by taking ownership of the metadata away from the server user.