Lingo

The music that is used in synchronization to an audio/visual work, or the body of music composed for a dramatic-musical work.

A contract between a publisher and songwriter(s) where the songwriter assigns to the publisher the copyright in one particular song in return for a percentage of royalty income. Sometimes referred to as a “one-off” contract.

This term is used to describe the non-dramatic public performing rights that are represented by and licensed through the performing rights organizations: BMI, ASCAP and SESAC. Performances of individual musical works on radio and TV and at hotels, restaurants, on programmed music services, and in concerts are “small” performances. These performing rights cover individual musical works used in non-dramatic renditions and are to be distinguished from “grand rights.” Note that when individual musical compositions are used in a dramatic setting, with action, scenery and dialogue, as may be the case in a “revue,” it could be considered a “dramatic” performance and not be covered under a performing rights organization license (see GRAND RIGHTS).

Person who conceives and constructs the lyrics and music to create songs. This should be you!

An agreement between the two parties that sets, among other things, the terms under which the composition(s) is transferred (assigned) and income is earned and divided.

The copyrighted musical work that results from the fixation of sounds onto a phonorecord.

In performing rights, a license granted by the copyright owner to the person, producer or organization being licensed to record or distribute the work, (e.g., in a taped program) so that the performance of the recorded work needs no further license.

When the publishing rights in a song are held by more than one publisher. Each of the several publishers is called a “co-publisher.”

Copyright registration form for a sound recording, usually obtained by the record company to protect the fixation of sounds on the recording. An SR form can be used to register the song (the © copyright) as well as the sound recording (the (P) copyright), if the copyright claimants of both are the same.

A songwriter who has an exclusive agreement with a publisher.