The music industry is a very dynamic one, creative works made by musicians need to be protected. Therefore having a detailed understanding of music licensing and copyright protection for the making of cover songs is important to avoid lawsuits that could jeopardize a music career.
This guide will walk you through everything about top organizations that protect music copyright to the steps and cost of obtaining a mechanical license for a cover song.
Top Organizations That Protect Music Copyrights
Music copyright protection is a critical component of any artist’s career. Several organizations around the world are dedicated to safeguarding the rights of music creators.
Music copyright protection is an important part of any artist’s career, as it serves as a means of income. There are lots of organizations that protect music copyrights globally. Here are a few:
International Organizations:
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers):
ASCAP, Is considered the first and largest Performing Rights Organisation (PRO) in the American music industry.
Founded in 1914, ASCAP is the first organization established to protect the rights of composers and the collection of public performance royalties on its client’s behalf.
Currently, it represents over 800 thousand musicians and songwriters, and it offers licenses to 11.7 million compositions.
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.):
BMI Is another top PRO that protects the rights of music creators through the collection of license fees and royalties. BMI has over 800k members and is ASCAP’s direct competitor in the American market.
This organization was established in 1939 and has built a solid reputation as a supporter of all new genres of music — from jazz and rock’n’roll in the 1950s. Currently, they are the biggest PRO on the global scene, representing a catalog of over 15 million compositions.
PRS for Music (UK):
This PRO represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers in the United Kingdom, ensuring they receive royalties when their music is played publicly.
PRS was established in 1997 as an alliance when two biggest British collection societies — Performance Rights Society (PRO) and Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MRO), formed the “MCPS-PRS “Alliance to monopolize the UK market.
Although both organizations still have a degree of autonomy, they are under the banner of PRS for Music and cover the UK music market on collection performance and mechanical royalties.
Organizations in Nigeria:
MCSN (Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria):
MCSN is a leading organization that protects the rights of music creators in Nigeria. This organization acts as the main character in ensuring music artists are surely compensated whenever their music is used commercially in the country
It is also responsible for the collection and distribution of royalties on behalf of musicians, composers, and other rights holders in the Nigerian music industry.
The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON)
The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) is a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) that was established in 2010 and is authorized by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to safeguard music works and recordings in the country.
The function of COSON is to ensure the freedom of musicians, songwriters, and distributors and guarantee that these creators receive the deserved compensation for their creative works.
Understanding Mechanical Licenses for Cover Songs
As an artist, you’ve heard a song that made you feel, fair enough I can make better music with this beat and you decide to make a cover. This sounds straightforward, isn’t it?
Now that’s where mechanical licensing comes into play. Now Let me briefly explain what that is and why it’s important to have that license before making a cover song.
Mechanical licensing is an agreement from the owner of a copyrighted music composition that grants a user exclusive access to reproduce or distribute a music composition.
Having this license grants you as another artist to release a cover song in an audio format only. This implies that you are free to upload and monetize your cover song through digital streaming platforms, downloads, CD, and Vinyl sales.
How Do I Obtain a Mechanical License:
- The first step to obtaining a mechanical license is to identify the copyright holder of the original song. This is usually the publisher of the song.
- Afterwards, contact a licensing agency. Organizations like Harry Fox Agency in the US or MCSN in Nigeria can assist with obtaining a mechanical license. They streamline the process by acting as an intermediary between you and the copyright holder.
- The terms of the license will include the fee per unit (usually per download or physical copy) and other conditions like the country where the license is valid.
- Once the terms are agreed upon, you’ll need to pay the necessary fees. This fee is usually a small percentage of the revenue generated by your cover song.
Cost of Getting a Mechanical License for a Cover Song
The cost of obtaining a mechanical license varies depending on several factors, including the country and the agency involved.
International Costs:
In the US, the statutory rate for a mechanical license is typically 9.1 cents per copy for songs up to five minutes in duration. For songs over five minutes, the rate is 1.75 cents per minute, per copy.
The PRS for Music in the UK follows a similar structure, with the rates being set according to the duration of the song and the number of copies to be made.
Costs in Nigeria:
In Nigeria, the cost of obtaining a mechanical license through MCSN often varies depending on the specific terms negotiated with the copyright holder. However, the process is generally affordable, especially when considering the potential revenue that can be gotten from the distribution of your cover song.
The Importance of Music Licensing for Artists
Licensing is a serious business aspect of the music industry. It is advisable for artists not to break any copyright laws, because of the heavy charges and fines associated with the lawsuits.
Music licensing ensures that creators are compensated for their work and also provides legal protection against unauthorized use of music. For cover artists, obtaining a mechanical license is a non-negotiable step in legally releasing music.
Final words: The 3 Important Things Every Artist Need to Know
Having a deep understanding of the legal requirements of music copyright and licensing is as crucial as ever. Whether you’re an independent artist or signed to a label, staying informed and compliant with copyright laws will save you from costly legal battles and ensure that you can continue to create and share your music with the world.