Songwriters Songwriters Copyright and Music Publishing Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What is a mechanical license in the context of music publishing?

Accepted Answer

A license to reproduce and distribute a copyrighted musical composition

Answer

A mechanical license grants the right to reproduce and distribute a copyrighted song in physical or digital formats such as CDs, vinyl, or streaming.

Question 2

Under U.S. copyright law, what is the statutory mechanical royalty rate per song for physical and digital downloads as of recent rates?

Accepted Answer

9.1 cents per copy

Answer

The statutory mechanical royalty rate set by the Copyright Royalty Board has been 9.1 cents per copy for songs five minutes or under.

Question 3

What does the term 'split sheet' refer to in songwriting?

Accepted Answer

A document that outlines each songwriter's percentage of ownership in a song

Answer

A split sheet is an agreement among co-writers that specifies each person's ownership percentage of a composition.

Question 4

Which organization is NOT a performing rights organization (PRO) in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Harry Fox Agency

Answer

The Harry Fox Agency handles mechanical licensing, not performance royalties, unlike ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC which are PROs.

Question 5

What happens to a songwriter's copyright after they pass away under current U.S. law?

Accepted Answer

It transfers to their heirs or estate for 70 years after death

Answer

Under current U.S. copyright law, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, during which time heirs or the estate control the rights.

Songwriters Practice Test

Songwriters Practice Test

Songwriters Songwriters Copyright and Music Publishing Questions and Answers 2