Music and copyright: Important terms for artists & musicians

Copyright is of central importance in the music industry. It protects the work of creatives and regulates how works may be used and distributed. Here you will find the most important terms relating to the topic - clearly explained and with valuable tips on how to best protect your music and rights.
The world of copyright can be complicated, but with the right knowledge you can act with legal certainty and protect your music effectively. You should know these terms.

Public domain

Works that are in the public domain are no longer subject to copyright. This means that they can be used without a license. This usually applies to works whose term of protection has expired, such as classical compositions by Mozart or Beethoven.

Copyright for music

Copyright protects your work from the moment it is created and gives you exclusive rights to use, reproduce and distribute it. Copyright, on the other hand, primarily describes the economic rights and is often used in countries such as the USA.

License fee

The license fee is the amount that a user must pay for the use of your copyrighted work. Whether it's for streaming, advertising or other commercial applications, a proper license protects your revenue and rights.

Sampling

Sampling means that excerpts from existing pieces of music are used in new productions. You need the permission of the rights holder for this - otherwise you could face legal problems.
Unsure whether it's sampling, a cover or a license? Watch this video!

Fair use

Under certain conditions, the concept of fair use allows you to use copyrighted works without obtaining permission from the rights holder. However, this only applies in specific contexts such as education, criticism or parodies and is difficult to legally define.

Digital rights management (DRM)

With DRM technologies, you can ensure that digital content such as music is not copied or distributed without authorization. DRM protects your rights, but is also controversial as it can restrict the possibilities of use.

Creative Commons

Creative Commons licenses allow you to publish your music with predefined usage rights. For example, you can specify whether others are allowed to use, edit or distribute your work commercially.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

The DMCA is a law from the USA that protects the rights of creatives in the digital space. Among other things, it regulates how platforms must deal with copyright infringements and allows you to send takedown notices if your work is used illegally.

Takedown notice

You can use a takedown notice to have copyright-infringing content removed from platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and other DSPs.

Term of protection

The term of protection describes how long a work is protected by copyright. In most countries, it is 70 years after the death of the author. After that, the work becomes public domain.

Exploitation rights

Exploitation rights give you the right to publish, reproduce or publicly perform your work. They are a central component of copyright law and guarantee that you can profit from your work.

GEMA

In Germany, GEMA (Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte) is an organization that represents the rights of composers, lyricists and publishers. If you register your works with GEMA, it takes care of license fees and protection.

If you want to be successful in the music industry, you need to understand the basics of copyright law. This is the only way to protect your creative works, receive fair remuneration and avoid legal risks. Take advantage of the opportunities offered by copyright law, licenses and organizations such as GEMA.
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