Direct Licensing and the Music Industry by
This book discusses the economics of the music industry in the context of the changing landscape brought about by innovation, technological change, and rapid digitization. The ability of digital technology to reduce the transaction costs of music copyright licensing has all but destroyed the traditional media business models of incumbent Performance Rights Organizations (PROs), music publishers, record labels, and radio and television stations. In a climate where streaming services are rapidly proliferating and consumers prefer subscription models over direct ownership, new business models, such as direct licensing, are developing. This book provides an overview of the economics of the traditional music industry, the technology-induced changes in business models and copyright law, and the role of publishers, copyright holders and songwriters in the emerging direct licensing model. In Part One, the author examines the economic aspects of direct licensing as an alternative to the traditional blanket license for copyrighted musical compositions, with an emphasis on the often monopolistic nature of PROs. In Part Two, the author focuses on the music publisher and the role direct licensing and competition may play in the changing business models in the music industry and the potential benefits this may bring to copyright holders, such as songwriters. To compliment this model, the author proposes a maximum statutory fixed-rate for musical performances to further streamline the royalty process, especially where distributors such as Google and YouTube are concerned. This book adds to the growing body of literature on the economics of music licensing in the digital age. It will be useful to those in the fields of economics and law, as well as music executives, musicians, songwriters, composers, and other industry professionals who are interested in understanding how technology, innovation and competition have reshaped the music industry.
Musician's Business and Legal Guide by 
The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing by
(Book). Since the publication of the first edition in 2005, The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing has emerged as the premier guide to the subject. With sufficient depth to be used as a text at major college music industry programs including UCLA, NYU and Northeastern, the book also remains simple and clear enough for the lay songwriter to gain a crucial understanding of musical copyrights and licensing basics. To wit, the second edition garnered 33 customer reviews on Amazon.com, with a rating of 4.8 out of 5 possible stars. In this expanded and updated third edition, with a foreword by Tom Petty, the author adds greater depth to such increasingly important topics as the rapidly shifting industry paradigms, the growing importance of streaming and subscription models, a discussion of new compulsory license media, the impact of copyright terminations and reversions, updated advice on current license prices, as well as all the basics of copyright and rights management.
The Musician's Guide to Licensing Music by 
Legal Aspects of the Music Industry by 
Music Law in the Digital Age by Overview of music copyright
How do I find out who owns the rights to a musical work?
How do I request permission to arrange a musical work?
What Musical works and sound recordings are in the Public Domain?
What is allowed under educational use (fair use) for music?
How to Register Your Copyright
Information on Copyright and Audio Preservation
Licensing agencies, also called Performing Rights Organizations (PRO's), have repertoire lists for the works that they manage the rights. If you want licensing to perform a work, arrange a work, or record a work, try searching these PRO's repertoire lists to find out who to contact.
