Music Rights Glossary

Definitions of the music rights terms you'll see across Easy Song. Each one links to a full article.

• A
• C
• D
• F
• I
• M
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U

A

Aggregator

See Digital distributor.

C

Certificate of Registration

The official certificate the U.S. Copyright Office mails to you once it has processed and approved your copyright registration. Learn more

Copyright

A legal protection that grants exclusive rights to the creator of an original work, such as a song, once it is fixed in a tangible form like sheet music or a recording. Learn more

Copyright deposit

The copy (or two copies, if published) of your work that is sent with a copyright application and fee. It becomes the property of the Library of Congress. Learn more

Copyright infringement

Reproducing, distributing, performing, publicly displaying or adapting a copyrighted work without the copyright holder's permission. Also called: infringement Learn more

Copyright registration claim

Your submission to the U.S. Copyright Office to register your ownership of a copyrighted work. Also called: registration claim Learn more

Cover song

A new recording of a previously released song that someone else wrote. To release one, you need permission from the owner of the song's composition. Learn more

D

Derivative work

A song that takes a preexisting work and uses that material to create a new composition or sound recording. It changes the original more than a cover song does. Learn more

Digital distributor

Also called an aggregator: the company that gets your music onto services like Spotify and iTunes. Also called: aggregator Learn more

F

Fair use

An exception in copyright law that allows small portions of a work to be used without permission for nonprofit, news, educational or parody purposes. It is not a blanket protection. Learn more

I

IDBLM

The International Database of Licensed Music (IDBLM.org), a public record of licensed music that rewards artists who release music legally. Also called: International Database of Licensed Music Learn more

Interpolation

Using any portion of the lyrics or melody of a copyrighted song you did not write inside another composition. Learn more

IPI number

An Interested Party Information number, which uniquely identifies a songwriter, composer, lyricist or publisher. PROs use them to pay performance royalties. Learn more

ISRC

International Standard Recording Code: a unique code for a sound recording or music video, used to track its use on digital services. Also called: International Standard Recording Code Learn more

ISWC

International Standard Musical Work Code: a unique identifier for a musical composition, similar to an ISBN for books. Also called: International Standard Musical Work Code Learn more

M

Master license

Permission from the owner of a copyrighted sound recording to use that recording. Also called: master rights, master lease Learn more

Mechanical license

Permission from the owner of a song's composition to release the song in an audio-only format, such as streams, downloads, CDs or vinyl. Also called: mechanical rights, mechanical licensing Learn more

Mechanical Licensing Collective

The MLC: an organization created by the Music Modernization Act that runs a blanket mechanical license for streaming services and pays mechanical royalties to creators. Also called: The MLC, MLC Learn more

Mechanical royalties

Royalties earned whenever a musical composition is reproduced in an audio-only format, physical or digital. Also called: mechanicals, mechanical royalty Learn more

Music license

An agreement between a music user and the owner of the music that says it's okay to use their music. Also called: music licensing Learn more

Music publishing

The business of protecting original compositions and collecting the income they earn. Publishers register copyrights, negotiate licenses and collect royalties for songwriters. Also called: music publisher Learn more

Musical composition

The song itself: its melody and lyrics. Permission for it is called the "publishing" side of a song. Also called: publishing side, compositions Learn more

P

Print license

Permission from the owner of a song's composition to rearrange, print or display its music notes or lyrics. Also called: print rights Learn more

PRO

A Performance Rights Organization, which licenses public performances of songs and collects performance royalties for their writers and publishers. Also called: Performance Rights Organization, Performing Rights Organization Learn more

Proof of Filing

The document you receive when Easy Song has filed your copyright registration claim with the U.S. Copyright Office. It is not the official Certificate of Registration. Also called: POF Learn more

Proof of Licensing

The signed PDF you get from Easy Song's Cover Song Licensing service. Keep it and give it to your manufacturer or digital distributor as proof that your release is licensed. Learn more

Public domain

Songs whose copyright has expired and need no license for any use. In the U.S. in 2026, that means music and lyrics published before 1931. A copyrighted sheet music arrangement of one still needs a license. Learn more

Public performance license

Permission from the owner of a song's composition to play the song in public, online or on radio. Also called: performance rights, performing rights Learn more

Publishing administrator

A company that manages licensing for your songs and collects part or all of the royalties they generate. Also called: music publishing administrator Learn more

R

Rightsholder

The person or company that owns the legal rights to a creative work, and so controls how it is used and who may use it. Also called: rights holder, copyright claimant Learn more

S

Seal of Authenticity

Like a license plate for your music: artists display it with their music and merchandise to prove the music is licensed. Learn more

Sound recording

A recorded version of a song. Permission for it is called the "master" side of a song. Also called: master side Learn more

Statutory damages

Money a U.S. court can award for copyright infringement without the owner having to prove actual financial losses. To be eligible, register before release or within 3 months of publication. Learn more

Sync license

Permission needed whenever copyrighted music is paired with visual media, such as video, film, TV or ads. Also called: synchronization license, sync licensing Learn more

T

Theatrical license

Permission from the owner of a song's composition to use it in a play, musical, dance, opera or other dramatic performance. Also called: theatrical rights Learn more

U

UPC

Universal Product Code: the barcode number that identifies your release in stores. An EAN (European Article Number) is the international version. Also called: Universal Product Code, EAN Learn more