Music copyright: works, songwriters, composers and publishers
Copyright protects the musical work itself: composition, melody and, where applicable, lyrics. It should not be confused with the master or sound recording.
Who owns music copyright?
Songwriters, composers and sometimes publishers own shares in the work according to their agreements. Splits should be documented before registration.
Which uses generate royalties?
Radio, television, live performance, streaming, downloads, reproduction, synchronization and other uses can generate different payments depending on territory and agreements.
Which identifiers should be retained?
Keep the exact work title, rightsholders, roles, shares, ISWC when assigned, and internal or society work codes.
Why register a work promptly?
Completee registration helps usage matching and distribution. Alternate titles, aliases and inconsistent metadata can prevent accurate matching.
Which organization is relevant in France?
SACEM collectively manages rights for authors, composers and publishers in its repertoire. Sonora does not replace registration; it helps organize the required data.