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Concepts

Sound recording

A fixation of music, sounds, or other audio onto a physical or digital medium — such as a CD, vinyl record, or digital file. The sound recording copyright is distinct from the underlying musical composition copyright and is typically owned by the record label or the recording artist. Sound recordings generate master use fees, streaming royalties, and neighboring rights.

Artigos sobre Sound recording

How to Copyright a Song for Free: 5 Legal Methods
Copyright & Licensing

How to Copyright a Song for Free: 5 Legal Methods

Copyright protection for your music is automatic and free the moment you fix it in a tangible medium. But free registration options and documentation methods can strengthen your legal position without spending money.

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How to collect COSON Nigeria music royalties and international earnings through collection societies

How to collect COSON Nigeria music royalties and international earnings through collection societies

African artists routinely miss international royalties because they lack direct relationships with foreign collection societies. A single membership in your home CMO like COSON Nigeria unlocks collection across 120+ territories through reciprocal agreements.

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Publishing Glossary Music Terms: Every Term Independent Artists Need to Know

Publishing Glossary Music Terms: Every Term Independent Artists Need to Know

Music publishing terminology is deliberately opaque, designed by an industry that profits from confusion. This glossary translates the language of royalties, rights, and revenue streams into plain terms independent artists can use to get paid correctly.

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How Social Media Music Marketing Royalties Generate Income Artists Are Missing

How Social Media Music Marketing Royalties Generate Income Artists Are Missing

TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook generate performance, mechanical, and sync licensing royalties that most independent artists never collect. Billions in social media music marketing royalties sit unclaimed with CMOs worldwide because creators don't register works correctly or understand which platforms trigger which rights.

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Music Copyright vs Trademark: What's the Difference and Do You Need Both?
Copyright & Licensing

Music Copyright vs Trademark: What's the Difference and Do You Need Both?

Confused about music copyright vs trademark and which one you actually need? This article cuts through the overlap and explains what each protects, how registration works, typical costs and timelines, and the real-world consequences for streaming, sync and merchandise.

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How Performance Royalties Work: A Deep Dive for Independent Artists
Royalties

How Performance Royalties Work: A Deep Dive for Independent Artists

Performance royalties explained - a practical FAQ for independent artists who want to stop leaving money on the table. This guide lays out who gets paid for compositions versus recordings, which collecting societies handle each right, and the exact registration and metadata steps (ISWC, ISRC, IPI) you need to ensure plays are matched and paid.

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What Are Neighbouring Rights in Music? Everything Artists and Labels Need to Know
Royalties

What Are Neighbouring Rights in Music? Everything Artists and Labels Need to Know

If you've wondered what is neighbouring rights music and why performers and labels sometimes get separate checks from songwriters and publishers, this FAQ cuts through the confusion. It explains who neighbouring rights protect, how collections work across key territories, the essential metadata and registration steps that actually matter, realistic revenue expectations, and practical next steps to claim unpaid royalties.

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Spotify vs Apple Music: Which Platform Pays Artists More?
Royalties

Spotify vs Apple Music: Which Platform Pays Artists More?

Spotify vs Apple Music royalties is a debate in every music community, but the reality is messier than a single per-stream number. This comparison lays out sourced per-stream ranges, explains how master and composition splits and distributor deals change net pay, and walks through worked examples for independents and label-signed artists.

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SOCAN vs ASCAP: Which PRO Is Right for You?
Royalties

SOCAN vs ASCAP: Which PRO Is Right for You?

Deciding between SOCAN vs ASCAP determines where and how your performance royalties are collected and paid. This SOCAN vs ASCAP comparison walks through eligibility, territorial scope, what each PRO does and does not collect, registration and split workflows, payout mechanics, and the metadata mistakes that cause missing royalties.

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