CHAPTER 6The Role of the Music Publisher

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter focuses on the role of the publisher in the music industry. For most professional songwriters, a music publisher is an important part of her team. The work of a music publisher revolves around owning and exploiting the rights to songs and compositions. The chapter concludes with the fictional indie band, Third Rail, debating the ethical and legal ramifications of clearing samples in cover songs they’ve recorded.

KEY TERMS

  • AIMP
  • Assignment of copyright
  • Audit
  • Catalogue
  • Creation vs. publication of a work
  • Derivative work
  • Exploit a work
  • First use
  • Grand Upright Music Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records
  • Harry Fox Agency
  • License
  • Music supervisor
  • NMPA
  • Recording company reserve fund

Get Introduction to the Music Industry: An Entrepreneurial Approach now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.