Q: What does "Most Favoured Nations" or "MFN" mean?
A: Most favoured Nations means that if a quote for music comes
in at a higher fee by either the publisher, co-publisher
or master recording then that fee must be paid to
all parties involved.
Q: What is the difference between publishing rights and master rights?
A: Every song you hear has two rights; publishing rights
and master or sound recording rights.
Publishing is the underlying rights in the song and the words
(the musical work). These belong to the writer. The Master or
Sound Recording is the rights in the recorded performance on
CD etc (the sound recording). These usually belong to the
record company and or the performer.
Q: How long is a song in copyright?
A: Copyright in music and lyrics lasts for the life of
the author or creator plus 70 years after the end of the
calendar year when the creator or arranger dies.
Q: How much does copyright music cost?
A: There is no set fee for music. It depends on the
campaign details such as media, Term, Territory.
Also depends on how popular and successful the track was.
Q: What is meant by the term "Sound-alike"?
A: Sound-alikes are re-records of a musical work which is
made to sound like the original artist without paying the rights.
This is a breach of copyright. You may re-record works but it
can not sound exactly like the original artist.
Q: Can we change lyrics to a song?
A: You need to seek permission to change lyrics.
Some creators allow this and others do not.
