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We are pleased to introduce a new blog series. Music Law 101 will be a recurring bi-weekly series consisting of posts covering a wide variety of legal topics relevant to artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and others in the music industry. Topics will include information on copyright law, trademark law, the right of publicity, laws relating to agents and managers, and music contract law.
With the Music Law 101 series, we intend to break down legal jargon to make the concepts useful to you as you create, perform, and distribute music. We want to help you Protect Your Music and Protect Yourself.
Copyright law can be confusing. This post provides an introduction to copyright law for musicians and addresses the often misunderstood issue of what exactly copyright law protects.
The most important concept in music copyright law is that each single piece of recorded music involves two distinct rights:
- The first right protects the underlying musical composition—that is, the specific arrangement and combination of musical notes, chords, rhythm, harmonies, and song lyrics. The law refers to this first type of copyright as a “musical work.” This interest is also sometimes referred to as the “musical composition” or the “song.”
- The second right protects the actual recording of a musical composition, which copyright law refers to as the “sound recording.” This interest is also sometimes referred to as the “master” or the “recording.
While an unsigned songwriter who performs and records his or her own original songs owns both the musical work and sound recording copyrights in the song, it is often the case that the two distinct rights are owned by separate individuals or entities. In general, music publishers own or control the musical work copyright, and record companies own or control the sound recording copyright.
A music copyright, whether as a musical work or a sound recording, is created immediately upon creation and satisfaction of the following elements:
- It must be an original work of authorship; and
- It must be fixed in any tangible medium of expression, such as written sheet music, a MIDI file, or a digital (or analog) recording.
For example, as soon as an original song is written down as sheet music or recorded as a MIDI or computer sound file, a copyright is created. It is not necessary to publish the song or register a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. However, as we will discuss in a future blog post, registration is required to obtain certain benefits under the Copyright Act.
While copyright protection generally arises immediately when a new song is recorded, the new song must be original. That is, the work must be original in the sense of being the creative product of the author’s own efforts. There is no requirement that it be original in the sense of being novel. “Original” means only that the work was independently created and that it possesses at least some minimal degree of creativity. “Originality” doesn’t mean a work of extraordinary genius.
While there are no bright-line rules, some courts have held that rhythm and harmony are generally in the public domain and not “original,” while melody is often determined to be “original” and protected by copyright. And, courts have held that contributions by producers and engineers to the creation of sound recordings, including the processing of sounds and the balancing, equalization, and integrating of vocal and instrumental into a blended whole, can be protected by copyright. On the other hand, musical style (i.e., the style of reggae), themes, or ideas in the abstract are not protected by copyright.
Often in copyright infringement actions, the defendant will argue that the plaintiff does not have a copyright because the song at issue was not original. For example, in 2007, 50 Cent was sued over his use of the line “Go shawty. It’s your birthday” in the song “In Da Club.” The plaintiff, a music publisher, claimed that the lyric was copied from its song “It’s Your Birthday,” which was written by Luther Campbell (aka, Luke Skyywalker). However, the court ruled for 50 Cent, holding that those lyrics were not original because the phrase was a common chant at hip hop events and nightclubs, had appeared in other prior songs, and Luther Campbell admitted that he didn’t create the phrase. So, if a song or lyric is not original, it’s not protected under copyright law.
Similarly, words and short phrases are generally not copyrightable. A court held that the phrase “Everyday I’m Hustlin” used in the song “Hustlin’” by Rick Ross is “a short expression of the sort that courts have uniformly held uncopyrightable.” As such, the use of the lyrics “Everyday I’m Shufflin” in the hit song “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO was not an infringement of the Rick Ross song lyrics. Similarly, in dismissing a lawsuit filed against Taylor Swift, a court recently found that the lyrics “Playas, they gonna play / And haters, they gonna hate” were “too brief, unoriginal, and uncreative to warrant protection under the Copyright Act.”
In sum, music copyright law protects musical works and sound recordings that are original works of authorship and fixed in any tangible medium of expression. In our next Music Law 101 post, we will explain how authorship and ownership of music copyrights are determined.
The Music Law 101 series is provided by Coe W. Ramsey and Amanda M. Whorton of the law firm Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP. Brooks Pierce provides sophisticated and strategic counsel to a wide variety of clients in the entertainment industry, including artists, musicians, songwriters, record producers, DJs, artist managers, radio stations, television stations, new media companies, record and publishing companies, film and television producers, advertisers, actors and reality TV talent, radio talent, and literary authors and publishers. The Music Law 101 series provides a survey introduction to the laws in the United States relevant to the music industry, is not intended as and shall in no way be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific set of facts or circumstances, and shall not be construed as creating an attorney-client relationship.
85 comments
Join the conversationRebecca Dawson - July 26, 2019
I’m writing a book for teens. Can I use words from songs to speak to them? Can I ask that they listen to a particular song for comfort?
Latrice - August 7, 2019
At the very least, I believe you’ll have to site the author. Just like when writing papers in college.
Danish Ahmad - January 6, 2020
search google
Hershel Collins - February 21, 2020
Do I need permission to sing a song gospel no money involved if so how can I get in touch with the writer ?
Belita Lee - October 25, 2020
Yes reverbnation cheezer Carlos guiterrez Sr. Stole my song. Ride the sea that’s not even the name of it nor him or Kenji battles supposed to be on it. It’s not even about what he say
sonneriefrance.com - January 26, 2021
Perfect knowledge sharing article
klingeltonekostenlos - July 4, 2021
Completely free music selection
Mp3 Ringtones - July 28, 2021
What do copyright laws protect and how long does that protection last?
Sonnerie Gratuite - September 21, 2021
This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Copyright law includes the following types of works: Literary; Musical; Dramatic
klingelton - December 6, 2021
you are right. Thank you
Anne-Marie McPhillips - August 25, 2019
My chorus would like to use just the notes from the first 4 bars of a Christmas song in the design of a Christmas ornament. The ornament would be sold by my choral group, but there is no associated sound. Is that legal?
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Anne-Marie McPhillips – Probably yes, if that Christmas song is in the Public Domain. There are many Christmas songs that are NOT in the Public Domain though, so you need to research online first, and make sure the song you want to use is in the Public Domain.
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Anne-Marie McPhillips – Is that Christmas song you’re referring to in the Public Domain?
invislondon - September 13, 2021
It’s great. You want a smile. Get here.
Neil W Hensley - September 9, 2019
I was thinking of covering songs in a new way, was wonder what the stipulations of using the same instrumental and vocals but labeling it as a cover, and if making money off of this would be an infringement, and if not, if I would have to pay the artist any amount.
Claude B. - June 7, 2020
I’m wondering the same. Would it be considered copyright infringement to arrange several song covers by the same artist on a new album eñtitled “x band played on different instruments”? Would you need permission from the original artist? I mean it’s often done- for example when one artist covers a song by another artist.
Pat Rios - June 29, 2020
Who can I email to use Eminem’s song “Not Afraid” on a video to promote a cause.
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
“Not Afraid” is on his seventh studio album Recovery (2010) and an online search shows the record labels for that release as: Aftermath Records, Shady Records, Interscope Records.
John Finney - December 23, 2020
I have made a recording in which I have sang 60s 70s music by Cliff Richards, Daniel o’Danal etc. I made it for private use but would now like to release it. I have never done this before and don’t want to infringe copyright. I don’t expect it to be a big seller and I don’t want to upset the original artists. Could you please advise on the legal implications of doing this. Thankyou. John Finney
Max - November 2, 2021
You do not need to ask permission to record or perform a song someone else has previously released. But are legally required to pay song owner for every physical recording of their song you create. Federal law says this is 9.1c per recording, and you can pay artist direct or thru their publishing company. Or not at all, they won’t sue unless you’re good enough that they take notice.
The song owner is also entitled to monies from live performances of ‘cover’ songs, but this is done by the venue owner paying money to a PRO, who then sends some of it to their top selling artists.
Max - November 2, 2021
Uh, well, I say you don’t need permission while others below say you do. Legally, by releasing a song to the public, the artist has given permission for it to be covered. It’d be nice of you to let them know your intentions, but they can’t hinder you. But you do have the legal obligation to pay for property which you make use of, be those recordings or performances.
(And if you’re jamming at the park or around the campfire, places where a PRO agent is not shaking down a biz owner for the fees, you then need to pay the PRO licensing costs)
Zac Pugh - October 1, 2019
I am hoping to take jazz standards that are not in the public domain, re arrange them and release them as an educational study, but this would be something I would like to sell and make my own audio files and sheet music. What do I need to consider for this? Say the song was Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham and released on an album by Joe Henderson in 1963.
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
If the songs are NOT in the Public Domain then you need to seek permission from the Publisher of each song.
sandi pear - October 13, 2019
would like to use first two lines of music from heigh ho off to work we go.different words for a jingle how do i apply to use it and is it possible?
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
That song might be owned by Bourne Music Publishing.
Asa A. - October 29, 2019
How long do song copyrights last? I’ve written a song and used the tune of Good-Hearted Woman (in love with a good timin’ man) from the late ’60s. What can I do with that other than just play it for friends or in local concerts? What would I need to do in order to record it?
Thanks very much.
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Asa A – The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.
nhlakanuipho - November 26, 2019
im a song writer i want to protect it what must i dop
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Copyright your song with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington DC. They have a website.
https://www.copyright.gov – (only trust the website that ends in .gov as being legit !)
Liz - December 29, 2019
After reading a children’s book to my baby a couple times, I was inspired to compose music rising the book to her. It has become her main lullaby and I was thinking of recording it and sharing it. I’m wondering if I can do this and cite the author and book, or if I need to get permission. If the latter, how can I go about getting that permission if the author is deceased but the book copyright isn’t in public domain?
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Contact the Publisher of the book. The Publisher information is usually printed in the book itself, in the first few pages, the last few pages, or sometimes on the back cover. If the book Publisher information is not printed within the book itself you can GOOGLE search the book Publisher by typing the title of the book (in quotation marks) along with the word publisher in the GOOGLE search box.
Indemental Media - January 3, 2020
I need this information at that hands of 12 to 20 year olds at NASHVILLE’S PUBLIC LIBRARY STUDIO project. CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT IS AT HAND
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Indemental Media – If you wish, you can copyright your song with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington DC. They have a website. https://www.copyright.gov – (only trust the website that ends in .gov as being legit !)
Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to make copies of a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, educational, or musical form.
Dung Zang Nyam - January 16, 2020
Just yesterday, I recorded a single and I’m wondering what must I do before official release on relevant media platforms?
Thanks!
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Dung Zang Nyam – If you wish, you can copyright your song with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington DC. They have a website.
https://www.copyright.gov – (only trust the website that ends in .gov as being legit !)
Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to make copies of a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, educational, or musical form.
Christopher Easterling - January 20, 2020
1. I have written a libretto. I have registered it with the WGAW. What else do I need to do to protect the intellectual property rights?
2. The same question applies for a children’s story that might get picked up as an animated feature.
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
If you wish, you can copyright your song with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington DC. They have a website.
https://www.copyright.gov – (only trust the website that ends in .gov as being legit !)
Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to make copies of a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, educational, or musical form.
Crystal - February 28, 2020
With the lyrics— If i were to type up just the lyrics and put into a packet for a group of kids to sing around the campfire at camp- how would the copyright laws apply here? We arent selling anything and its just for fun. there were some songs that were in our packets in the past but in a recent one they were removed because they have copyright so now we are encouraged to learn the songs on our own. How does this differ from printing lyrics from lyrics.com or azlyrics.com type of sites? are there cases where someone might have had permission granted to do this type of packet? how would that be documented and where? I appreciate any clarification you can provide me with.
Samadur Rahman - March 13, 2020
Great post
Laura - April 23, 2020
I am from the UK ( hoping it’s the same rules)?
I have written my oven lyrics but used a kareoke backing track of a pop song for a school I work at.
Can I perform the song, without a licence as it’s my lyrics?
Cheers x
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Hi Laura – you should be able to “PERFORM” any cover song (like at a school or at a bar), but the catch is you can’t record and sell it unless you get permission from the original author and/or Publisher of the song. Live covers and karaoke performances at bars, restaurants, and other such venues are typically covered under the venue’s licenses from Performing Rights Organizations. In the United States there are currently 3 Performing Rights Organizations: BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. ASCAP does not license public schools, and high schools unless they are for profit institutions like colleges and Universities. It would not be too difficult to figure out which Performing Rights Organization that pop song is registered with. You can go on each of the 3 P.R.O. websites and do song searches. Since you are in the UK – you should contact PRS, which is 1 the Performing Rights Organizations in the U.K. Here is their website:
https://www.prsformusic.com
PRS
2 Pancras Square
Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG
United Kingdom
+44 20 7580 5544
kabir singh - May 16, 2020
Copyright. Copyright is a legal means of protecting an author’s work. It is a type of intellectual property that provides exclusive publication, distribution, and usage rights for the author. This means whatever content the author created cannot be used or published by anyone else without the consent of the author
Hans Jultved - April 9, 2021
Sådan har jeg også forstået det. Men hvornår “ligner det for meget”, synes at være det vigtige
Joseph - May 22, 2020
Am I allowed to rap over an instrumental version of a song?
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
If you wrote the instrumental music, then yes. If you did not write the instrumental music, then no. But you can contact the Publisher of the song to ask permission.
Rolanda Shaw - May 28, 2020
How do u go about copywriting songs if the artist is deceased?
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
You can try contacting the Publisher of the song.
George - May 28, 2020
If there is a copyrighted song with no lyrics…
Can you write a lyric/poem to the rhythm of the song that has no lyrics…without violating the copyright?
To be exact: Can you use the lyric/poem as a stand alone poem …. as long as you don’t put the poem to music without the permission of the composer?
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
George – Yes, if you don’t put the poem to the music – then that poem has nothing to do with that music.
However, if you did merge or mix your poem along with original music that you did not write (without permission from the original author or publisher) then you would be sued. So don’t do that.
But if your poem is only written (with NO music) then it’s your original work, and you can Copyright it as a poem. Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to make copies of a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, educational, or musical form. If you wish to officially Copyright your poem, you can contact the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington DC. Here’s the link:
https://www.copyright.gov
Donni - December 15, 2020
I have recorded songs using pro tools. All tracks are on my computer. Do I still need to copyright them before I put them out or is having the recordings protection enough?
Claude B. - June 7, 2020
I’m wondering the same. Would it be considered copyright infringement to arrange several song covers by the same artist on a new album eñtitled “x band played on different instruments”? Would you need permission from the original artist? I mean it’s often done- for example when one artist covers a song by another artist.
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
All cover songs to be sold as an audio file for profit require a compulsory license. You must credit the original songwriter. Send a “Notice of Intent to Obtain a Compulsory License” form to the copyright owner 30 days before sale of the cover song: This notice tells the copyright holder that you will be selling a cover version of their work, formally establishing a compulsory cover license.
A compulsory cover license allows an artist to legally sell their rendition or “cover” of another song based on a set royalty payment scale. A compulsory license is obtainable for any song that has already been previously recorded and sold with the consent of the original musical composition copyright holder.
https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/music-copyright-compulsory-cover-license.html#
someone - June 26, 2020
can using the same tunes part of copyright
Nenu-B - July 26, 2020
This is the best post on my career I have found today. Honestly, your a great writer.
Young far - August 31, 2020
I like to listed dancehall music ,this is why I was started to make muxic
Hawaii - September 27, 2020
Best article today٫thanks alot to the post author
Michael C Manahan - November 9, 2020
I have been using songs from the past, generally the 70’s, writing totally different lyrics and singing the new lyrics to the old song melody or harmony. Many of them, I have redone with just a harmony that I made up. How legal is this?
Electroillusion - November 12, 2020
Copyright your song with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington DC. They have a website.
https://www.copyright.gov – (only trust the website that ends in .gov as being legit !)
Malin Yameliev - November 27, 2020
If I like a song and wanna do something similar, but I only use similar sounds and the composition is compleatly different, is that ileagal?
Ron Garza - December 8, 2020
My MIDI keyboard can send commands to my laptop, where a VST (Virtual Studio Technology) program plays the notes from prerecorded samples. If I sample an instrument from a recording, can I use that without violating a copyright? What’s the difference between me recording a particular instrument on my own, and taking that same sound sample from a recording on a song?
Donni - December 15, 2020
I have recorded songs using pro tools. All tracks are on my computer. Do I still need to copyright them before I put them out or is having the recordings protection enough?
cookie clicker - December 23, 2020
Relax to music.
Melinda hartle - January 13, 2021
Theres alot of songs that are coming out that really hot home that is almost like the writer wrote them after seeing it happen in my life or something they ain’t out on tv or radio yet but it’s so realistic to my life it’s not even funny
Mary - January 24, 2021
Our church changes words to make a song more inclusive. Such as changing he to God . This is then recorded to play on a virtual service. Is this copyright infringement?
Linda - February 20, 2021
I am writing a book on the Christmas Advent and am using history of Christmas Carols. I have images of the composers which I have purchased or pulled from Public Domain. I would also like to add the music with words of the carols but cannot find them in public domain. The words are available but the sheet music with lyrics are not. Question 1: How can I obtain a copy of the carols with sheet music and words?
I found some old Christmas song books at a yard sale that was printed by the Titusville Trust Company, Titusville PA sometime between 1917 when they incorporated and 1948. Over the following years the company has changed names and ownership numerous times. The song book does not have a published date or publisher. The carols I would be using are all in Public Domain; however the song book may not be. Question 2: If I scan the pages of the songs I would like to use and insert them into the book I am writing would I be violating copyright laws?
Hans Jultved - April 9, 2021
Jeg har selv prøvet at finde noder på internettet, men det er ikke så nemet mere. Tror at biblioteket er blevet den eneste mulighed, med indre du vil betale for det på nettet.
XX - April 13, 2021
Just wondering, if one music producer recreates the work of someone else without their knowledge and make some changes such as different instruments but keeps the composition close to the original work and sell it to an artist who then creates and releases a song on that music, if and who will get in trouble? For the argument’s sake let’s say the original artist is in Dubai and the guy who copied work is in Bangladesh.
cookie clicker 2 - May 17, 2021
Thanks for your articles. It’s helpful.
Printable Calendar - May 28, 2021
If I like a song and wanna do something similar, but I only use similar sounds and the composition is compleatly different, is that ileagal?
JAMB - June 13, 2021
Great content! How do I get a copyright license for my song please, I did some recordings last week of which I got some good feedbacks and I think its necessary I do this.
Melvin Frazier Jr - July 7, 2021
Is it illegal to destroy someone’s name. In music
cặp da nam - July 20, 2021
Very nice post
Little Alchemy - July 20, 2021
This is my first time here and I found a lot of interesting things in your blog, especially the discussion section.
SUMUIT SINGH - July 23, 2021
Very Informational and Perfect Knowledge Sharing Blog. Thanks
Sophia - September 29, 2021
Wow, What a Excellent post.
lustige klingelton sprüche deutsch - November 13, 2021
If I like a song and wanna do something similar, but I only use similar sounds and the composition is compleatly different, is that ileagal?
Ben Pomeroy - November 27, 2021
I finally found the information I was looking for, thank you for guiding me.
3003 Aluminum Sheet - December 6, 2021
one music producer recreates the
lyrics - December 10, 2021
Hi, I work on Lyrics. I post lyrics in my site.. Is this illegal.? Is it violating any term?
TuneGuru Ringtone - December 13, 2021
The problem of copyright has increased a bit nowadays. this is very informative and intersting for those who are interested in blogging field.
sonnerie gratuite iphone - December 28, 2021
Great music theme, thanks for the creativity.
Samur - January 12, 2022
If I pay 9.1 cents, can I just cover a song randomly? (just checking)
Juan - April 7, 2022
If I download a beat online and write on it, will i be sued if it gets recorded and published online?
FindFormula - May 31, 2022
Very nice article about Copyright.
nhacchuong68 - December 23, 2022
Thanks for sharing