Music Rights 101
Learn how music licenses, copyright, the public domain, and music publishing work.
Which License Do I Need?
- Music Licensing for Digital Downloads
- Music Licensing for Film
- Music Licensing for New Arrangements
- Music Licensing for Physical, Audio-only Products
- Music Licensing for Print
Music License Basics
Recommended
- What is a Music License?
- Why Get a Music License?
- Do I need a music license?
- What Happens if I Don't Get a License?
- True or False: Do I Only Need a Mechanical License if I'm Releasing a Physical Product Like Vinyl or CD?
Types of Music Licenses
- Compulsory Mechanical Licensing Law
- What is a Master License?
- What is a Mechanical License?
- What Is a Print License?
- What is a Public Performance License?
Do I Need a Mechanical, Sync, Master, or Performance License?
- Do I Need a Mechanical License?
- Who Gets Paid by a Mechanical License?
- When Should I Have My Mechanical Licensing in Place?
- Do I Need a Synchronization License?
- Who Gets Paid by a Synchronization License?
Copyright Basics
Recommended
- Six Ways Copyright Law Protects Musicians
- How Long Does Copyright Protection Last?
- What is a Copyright Claimant / Rightsholder?
- How Copyright Law Distinguishes Between a "Sound Recording" and a "Phonorecord"
- Understanding US Copyright Protection in Foreign Countries
Infringement and Fair Use
- What is Copyright Infringement?
- How Can I Get Sued for Infringement if I'm Not Making Any Money Off of My Work? What Damages Can They Claim?
- What are Statutory Damages and Why Should I Care?
- What Does "Prima Facie" Mean and Why Is It Important?
- What is Fair Use?
Public Domain
Recommended
Royalties and Publishing
- What is a PRO?
- What is Music Publishing?
- What is a Music Publishing Administrator?
- What is a Personal Publishing Entity?
- What Is an IPI Number?
Tools and Reference
Recommended