Exclusive Rights

For purposes of copyright law, the privileges that only a copryight owner has with respect to the copyrighted work. See the article, What Exactly is a Music Copyright?, for a discussion of exclusive rights held by the copyright owner of a song or sound recording.

Exploit

For purposes of music publishing, to seek sources of revenue for a song. See the article, Music Publishing: How Your Songwriting Generates Income, for a discussion of music publishing rights and music royalty income.

Fixed in a Tangible Medium of Expression

A term coined by the Copyright Act meaning that an original literary, artistic or intellectual work has a valid copyright as soon as it is written down or recorded in a manner sufficiently permanent or stable to permit it to be perceived, reproduced or communicated for a period of more than transitory duration.

Harry Fox Agency

A company that represents music publishers in the negotiation of mechanical licenses, synchronization licenses and foreign licenses, and the collection of music royalty income.

Mechanical License

Authorization from a music publisher or song writer to record and distribute a song on phonorecords. Compare to compulsory mechanical license.

Music Publishing

The commercial exploitation of songs through the issuance of mechanical licenses, synchronization licenses, performing rights licenses, print licenses as well as other licenses authorizing various uses of the songs. See the article, Music Publishing: How Your Songwriting Generates Income, for a discussion of music publishing.

Musical Work

A melody and any accompanying lyrics; more commonly referred to as a musical composition or a song.

Performing Rights License

Authorization for the public performance of a song frequently granted by a performing rights society through a blanket license.

Performing Rights Society

The associations or companies that issue performing rights licenses, track public performances, collect performing license revenues and distribute those revenues to song writers and music publishers. The performing rights societies in the United States are ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.

Personal Manager

A representative who assists the musician in the development and management of his music and entertainment career.

Phonorecord

Any material object onto which sounds, other than those on a soundtrack of an audio-visual work, can be recorded including an audiocassette, a CD, or a vinyl disc.

Print License

Authorization from a music publisher or song writer to reproduce and distribute a song in printed form.

Sound Recording

The recorded performance of a song onto a phonorecord.

Sub-Publisher

A foreign agent retained by the original music publisher of a song to exploit the song in the foreign agent’s geographic territory.

Synchronizarion License

Authorization granted by a music publisher, or song writer to use a song with visual images (as in a motion picture or television program).

Talent Agent

A representative who arranges live performances and other employment opportunities for a musician. Also referred to as a booking agent.

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