Writing Music For A Client? Here's What You Need To Know About Your Rights

Although most people make music primarily because they love it, it's also important to know about the business side of things when you put your tracks out there. Whether you're in music to make money or see earning money as a happy by-product of making music, it's still vital to know where you stand. In this five minute video from the course Music Business 101: Copyright And Mechanical Royalties, Paul Bissell focuses on the area of work for hire - creating music to order, and the rights and obligations that go along with it. 

Paul explains that if you are offered a deal such as this, there are implications regarding ownership, copyright and other financial considerations that you should know about. It's all perfectly legal and there are many different kinds of deals, but it's important to enter into them with your eyes open. Check out the other videos in the course to learn more about the fundamentals of the music business and boost your knowledge of the different ways you can make money from your music!  

Music Business 101: Copyright And Mechanical Royalties

If your song is broadcast on the radio, TV, satellite or cable, appears in a movie, is used in a commercial or performed in a bar, legally (or illegally) downloaded, covered by a band, used on a website, or even sampled in someone else's song, stolen or copied... you are owed money! However, you won't get a cent unless you are the copyright owner and know how to protect your rights!

In this first course of a four-part series, Professor Paul Bissell will take you on a thorough and entertaining ride through the basics of copyright. You'll learn about the different kinds of copyright and Paul will explain the "five rights" granted to you by law. You'll also learn about Mechanical, Synchronization and Performance royalties. You'll understand what they are and how to get them!

Most of all, you come away from this course with a new appreciation—and a powerful understanding—of what copyright is and how you can use it to protect your music! So get ready to take the first step toward turning your music skills into a music business. Join Paul Bissell on this fun and entertaining exploration we call Music Business 101!