Copyright and Music Publishing Flashcards

A song has two distinct copyrights. What are they?

Answer: The musical composition and the sound recording

Every song has a composition copyright (notes/lyrics) and a separate sound recording copyright (the master).

Which PRO is a nonprofit owned by its songwriter and publisher members?

Answer: ASCAP

ASCAP is a member-owned nonprofit performing rights organization.

A mechanical royalty is paid for which use of a song?

Answer: Reproduction in physical or digital copies

Mechanical royalties are owed when a composition is reproduced, such as on streams, downloads, CDs, or vinyl.

What does a compulsory mechanical license allow someone to do?

Answer: Record a cover of a previously released song without the writer's permission

U.S. law lets anyone record and release a cover of a non-dramatic song once it has been released, by paying the statutory rate.

Who administers blanket mechanical licenses for streaming in the U.S.?

Answer: The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective)

The MLC, created by the Music Modernization Act, issues blanket mechanical licenses and pays writers for digital uses.

A 'split sheet' is used to document what?

Answer: Each writer's ownership percentage of a song

A split sheet records who wrote what and each contributor's ownership percentage to prevent disputes.

What is the 'writer's share' of performance royalties?

Answer: The portion paid directly to the songwriter, separate from the publisher's share

Performance royalties are split into a writer's share paid to the songwriter and a publisher's share, even when one entity controls publishing.