Music Copyright: How It Works, and Why It Matters

Music copyright is one of the most important aspects that every music artist should be clear about. It is simply about getting paid for your music; the music that you have worked on so hard with originality and individuality. You might already know that popular music artists seldom get to trial for copyright infringement issues and that is why they like to keep a strong lawyer by their side who can help to navigate through the issue. Emerging music artists might not have the budget and resources to hire a lawyer for their music and if they have a better understanding of the concept, they might not even need one. If you are a music artist as well, let’s find out what music copyright is and how it works.

What is Music Copyright?

Music copyright refers to a series of rights that are mainly granted by the Government of every country for intellectual properties of IP and in this case, the IP is music. However, each country has a different variation of rights that would be legally granted. However, the primary purpose of these rights is to help you protect your music so that no one else can exploit your creation. And if anyone does, you can legally charge with legal co-operation.

How Many Types of Music Copyrights Exist?

Based on the making process of a musical piece or a song, there are two forms of copyrights.

    1. Copyright that helps to protect the song (often called Composition)

    2. Copyright that helps to protect the recording of the song (often called Master)

These two copyrights can be owned by two different parties yet it ensures everyone gets compensated for the exploitation along with legal action. However, many artists also found the loophole and started exploiting their own tracks to stack extra royalty. Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix are two prime examples in this case. The hit single “All Along The Watchtower” was originally written by Bob Dylan who recorded it and released the track under his own label. When his fans started buying the music project, Dylan earned a lot by exploiting the copyright that covered his composition and recording. Jimi Hendrix made a recording of “All Along The Watchtower” which allowed him to gain the royalty for the copyright of the recording but when it comes to composition; Dylan took a big stack home.

How to Copyright My Music?

In the case of the USA and Canada, the copyright is applied immediately when new music is being produced. When you complete a track and ‘fix’ the track with writing, physically on a paper or even a hard drive or tape. Therefore, applying for a copyright notice is perhaps not mandatory always. However, it is important to officially apply for copyright registration as you can file a case of exploitation only when you are registered yourself.

A regulation was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in March 2019 where the rule of registration became mandatory. Copyright owners must go through the process in order to get approved by the U.S. Copyright Office. And then, you can finally file a lawsuit against other artists who you consider to have stolen or exploited your music. For Europe and Canada, it is possible to bring forward to legal case when you are exploited with your music. However, you need to provide definite proof to support your claims.

Also Read: How to Upload on SoundCloud without Copyright Infringing?

What Kinds of Rights Does My Music Copyright Cover?

As mentioned before, copyright helps to cover a set of rights for the music artist and that depends on the law of the particular country in which the artist belongs. The most common rights that are covered by music copyright are,

    • Right to make coppices or reproducing tracks

    • Right to adapt your work

    • Right to sell your work

    • Right to license your work

    • Right to broadcast, transmit, or perform your work

For a more detailed description of the rights, visit the Official Copyright Site for your country.

Importance of Music Copyright

Having your music registered for copyright comes with a handful of advantages. These are also the reasons why music artists should register themselves as soon as they embark on a professional musical journey.

    1. Allows Complaint Filing 

Registration for copyright makes you eligible for complaint filling when you find your music being exploited by others. Without registration, you are not eligible to complain and even if you do, there is no legal proof to claim the music as yours.

    2. Offers Greater Compensation

Legal proceedings for music copyright are financially demanding for every involved party. However, if you register through music copyright, it can help to gain greater compensation for every infringement issue. When you win the case, it also provides all the damages and attorney’s fees.

    3. Record of Ownership

Music copyright works like an official record of ownership of the music that lets others know that you are the rightful owner of the musical creation. It documents all the relevant details along with the involved parties.

    4. Initial Evidence

There is a legal term known as Prima facie evidence which means that you possess enough proof to establish the case based on fundamental facts. You can secure this by registering the copyrights within five years after publishing your original content.

    5. Save Time, Money, and Legacy

You never know where problems will arrive. Therefore, it requires some proactive steps that can help you deal with problems in the future in case any dispute is found. Instead of waiting for the last moment, take precautionary steps that your help you save your precious time, money, and legacy of music that you have built so far.

Final Thoughts

Copyright registration is a good investment for your music that helps to keep it secure and also offers you that piece of mind that no one can exploit you with your music. Register early and enjoy the benefits of legal ownership of your intellectual creation.