Music IP & Stakeholders

Issues, articles, and case law

Jeremy Peters (Wayne State University)

While this is *not* a law course, it is a course about certain laws and how the formation, application, and manipulation of those laws determine power relationships between parties with interests that may align but at times compete. Credit must go to Chris Bavitz at Harvard Law, whose original casebook was the inspiration for what I've compiled here.

Each section corresponds with a module in the class. Those modules, other readings, and the assignments for the class are available on the Wayne State University Canvas site.

NB: This casebook is licensed under a creative commons license, although that license likely does not apply to the articles linked herein.

7 Songwriters, Publishers, & Publishing Agreements 7 Songwriters, Publishers, & Publishing Agreements

7.1 Music Publishing Basics & Mechanical Royalties 7.1 Music Publishing Basics & Mechanical Royalties

7.1.1. Songtrust: "The Modern Guide to Music Publishing" (Link to PDF)

Songtrust: "The Modern Guide to Music Publishing" (Link to PDF)

7.1.2. US Copyright Office: "Mechanical License Royalty Rates" (Link to PDF)

US Copyright Office: "Mechanical License Royalty Rates" (Link to PDF)

7.1.3. Songtrust: "How to Start a Music Publishing Company"

Songtrust: "How to Start a Music Publishing Company"

7.1.4. U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 73, "Compulsory License for Making and Distributing Phonorecords" (.pdf)

U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 73, "Compulsory License for Making and Distributing Phonorecords" (.pdf)

7.2 Co-Writing 7.2 Co-Writing

7.2.1. Wadhwani: "Hitched to a Star," The Tennessean (January 2, 2011) (Link to .PDF)

Wadhwani: "Hitched to a Star," The Tennessean (January 2, 2011) (Link to .PDF)

7.3 Songwriter Pay 7.3 Songwriter Pay

7.3.1. Parisi: "Copyright Royalty Board Boosts Songwriters’ Streaming Pay Nearly 50%," Variety (January 27, 2018)

Parisi: "Copyright Royalty Board Boosts Songwriters’ Streaming Pay Nearly 50%," Variety (January 27, 2018)

7.3.2. Mulligan: "Songwriters Aren't Getting Paid Enough, And Here's Why," MIDiA Research Blog (September 10, 2019)

Mulligan: "Songwriters Aren't Getting Paid Enough, And Here's Why," MIDiA Research Blog (September 10, 2019)

7.4 Optional Reading 7.4 Optional Reading

7.4.1. US Copyright Office: "Copyright and the Music Marketplace: A Report of the Register of Copyrights," (February 2015), read "Licensing Musical Works," Section II(B), pp. 25 - 43

US Copyright Office: "Copyright and the Music Marketplace: A Report of the Register of Copyrights," (February 2015), read "Licensing Musical Works," Section II(B), pp. 25 - 43

7.4.2. US Copyright Office: In Re: Mechanical and Digital Phonorecord Rate Adjustment Proceeding , Docket No. RF 2006-1, Delivery Rate Adjustment Proceeding, (October 16, 2006) (.pdf)

US Copyright Office: In Re: Mechanical and Digital Phonorecord Rate Adjustment Proceeding , Docket No. RF 2006-1, Delivery Rate Adjustment Proceeding, (October 16, 2006) (.pdf)