360 Deal
Typically, a long-term arrangement with a record label that can come with an advance to cover costs for recording, touring, etc, in return for an ownership share and an agreed royalty split.
Adaptation
Any form of modification or alteration of a musical work or sound recording to create a new musical work or sound recording
Adaptation Right
The right to alter a musical work or sound recording that already exists.
Aggregator
A type of distributor that only distributes sound recordings to online stores and streaming platforms.
AI
Artificial Intelligence: the ability for machines to imitate or reproduce human decisions.
Arrangement
An alteration of a pre-existing musical work that may incorporate changes to, for example, tempo, harmony, instrumentation, and orchestration.
Arranger
A type of creator who alters a pre-existing musical work, changing, for example, tempo, harmony, instrumentation, and orchestration.
Artist
In the context of music, a solo performer or group of performers who perform a musical work live or recorded.
Author
A person who makes an original contribution to a work protected under copyright law.
Beatmaker
A type of creator that creates an underlying musical accompaniment, usually the main accent or rhythmic unit in music.
Blanket License
A form of licensing that allows unlimited uses of a repertoire of musical works or sound recordings under certain conditions
Booking Agent
Individuals or companies that work with artists to schedule concerts, tours, and in-person appearances and negotiate fees and contracts for those bookings.
Catalog
A collection of musical works or sound recordings.
Chorus
A part of a song that repeats after each verse. It is often the recurring section that highlights the main theme of a song.
Claim
A rights holder's request for an entitlement, for example, royalties, redress, or reward.
Clearance
Official permission to use a musical work or sound recording, in full or part of.
CMO
Collective Management Organization: An organization that acts collectively on behalf of the rights holders it represents and collects and pays remuneration to rights holders.
Co-authors
Creators who have written a musical work together.
Commercial Release
The official distribution of a sound recording offered for public consumption and sale.
Communication to the Public
When a musical work or sound recording is played live, made available online or transmitted by any means other than distributing physical copies, for example at concerts, in clubs, on radio or tv, by webcasting or streaming.
Composer
A composer creates the melodies, chord progressions and other elements of a musical work other than the lyrics.
Composition
A collection of notes, melodies, chords, rhythms, arrangements, instrumentation, and more, excluding lyrics.
Copyright
The ownership of rights in a song under copyright law
Copyright Infringement
Using a protected musical work or sound recording without the permission of the rights holders in cases where such permission is required by copyright law.
Copyright Law
National laws that protect creators' and other rights holders' moral and economic rights in musical works, performances, and sound recordings.
Cover
AKA cover version: a performance or new sound recording of a musical work that someone else originally performed, recorded, and released.
Creative Commons License
A license that allows users to legally use musical works, performances, or sound recordings for free under certain conditions.
Creator
Anyone who contributes to creating or performing a musical work, a live performance, or a sound recording.
Creators' Rights
Controls creators have over what they created or produced in a musical work, performance, or sound recording and over their identity and image.
Deal
A common term used in the music industry to describe an agreement or contract between a creator and a record label or publishing company.
Demo Version
An initial, typically incomplete, recording of a musical work.
Digital Music formats
Formats that store music in computer-readable files using binary code, such as WAV, MP3, and FLAC.
Distribute
To deliver sound recordings to DSPs and physical retailers
Distribution
The process of delivering sound recordings to DSPs and physical retailers.
Distribution Deal
An agreement where a record label agrees to distribute the sound recordings of a self-releasing artist or an independent record label for a percentage split of the distribution or streaming royalties.
Distributor
A company or service that delivers music to digital streaming platforms and physical retail stores.
DJ
Disc Jockey: a person who curates and plays sound recordings to an audience. DJs can mix sound recordings together to create new and unique versions or mixes.
DSP
Digital Service Provider: an online platform that provides streaming or download services to consumers.
Economic Rights
The rights to control or receive payment for the commercial exploitation of works, performances, sound recordings, and broadcasts.
Exclusive Rights
The rights to determine the terms and conditions under which a musical work, performance, or sound recording can be licensed or not for use.
Featured Artist
A performer collaborating with the main artist on a sound recording.
Featured Performer
A performer collaborating with the main artist on a sound recording.
Final Mix
A term used to describe a sound recording in its final stages of audio processing and adjustments, aka mixing, before mastering.
Fixation
The process of writing or recording a musical work or performance in a tangible form, such as sheet music or a sound recording.
FLAC
Free Lossless Audio Codec: a digital audio format that provides high-quality audio compression without any loss of audio fidelity.
Flat Fee
A pricing structure that charges a single fixed fee.
Formats
A term used to describe different forms of audio storage available for purchase or consumption, such as CD, vinyl, cassette, or digital audio files.
Grand Rights
The right to agree or object to the use of a musical work in a dramatic performance such as operas, ballets, or musicals.
Grand Rights Royalties
Money paid for the right to perform a musical work in the context of a dramatic work, such as a stage performance, dance, or musical theatre production.
Independent Artist
A creator who does not have a contractual agreement with a record label and or music publisher.
Independent Record Label
Record labels that operate without the financial backing of any other major labels. They can range in size and often work with smaller distribution and publishing companies.
Infringement
The use of a protected musical work, performance, or sound recording without the permission of the rights holders or a license from a CMO in cases where such permission or license is required by copyright law.
Infringing Copyright
The use of a protected musical work or sound recording without the permission of the rights holder's in cases where such permission is required by copyright law
Intellectual Property
Creations of the mind, such as copyrighted works, performances, sound recordings, patented inventions, registered designs, or trademarks.
Intellectual Property Rights
Rights, including copyright and related rights, in creations of the mind, such as copyrighted works, performances and sound recordings, patented inventions, registered designs, or trademarks.
Interactive Streaming
Streaming services that allow users to choose the music or videos they want to listen to or view.
IPI numbers
Interested Party Information; a unique international identifier for songwriters and music publishers.
IPN
International Performer Number: a unique international identifier for performers.
ISNI
International Standard Name Identifier: a unique identifier for people, organizations, and companies involved in creative activities.
ISRC
International Standard Recording code: a unique identifier for sound recordings.
ISWC
International Standard Musical Work Code: a unique identifier for musical works.
Label Copy
Label copy is a document or collection of information relating to a sound recording, for example, title, performer names etc
License
A form of permission given to use copyrighted material, such as a musical work or sound recording, under certain conditions and usually for a fee.
License Fee
A sum of money paid for the permission given to use copyrighted material, such as a musical work or sound recording under certain conditions, and usually for a fee
Licensed
Permission granted to use copyrighted material, such as a musical work or sound recording, under certain conditions and usually for a fee.
Licensing
The process of granting permission to use copyrighted material, such as a musical work or sound recording.
Licensing Fees
Money paid for a license that allows the use of copyrighted material, such as a musical work or sound recording.
Licensing Organizations
Organizations that license the use of copyrighted material, such as musical works or sound recordings.
Lump-Sum
A sum of money paid as a one-time payment.
Lyric Video
A music video that displays only the lyrics of a song.
Lyricist
A type of creator that writes the words of a musical work.
Lyrics
The words written to be performed by singers, rappers, and other vocalists.
Main Artist
A performer or group of performers credited as the artist mainly featuring on stage or on the sound recording.
Major Record Label
Typically, large organizations that operate in many countries, with workforces that can number in the thousands. As of writing, they include Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group.
Make Available
When a music work or sound recording is communicated to the public in such a way that members of the public may access the work or sound recording from a place and at a time individually chosen by them, such as streaming or downloading
Manager
A person who represents the interests of one or multiple creators, including artists, songwriters, music producers, or other roles.
Market Share
The portion of the market that is representative of a person's or organization's share of control, revenue, influence, etc.
Mashup
A musical work usually created by blending two or more sound recordings.
Master
The original sound recording.
Master Recording
The original sound recording.
Master Rights
The rights to the ownership of, and all other rights in, a sound recording.
Mastered
The term used to describe a sound recording once it has been mixed and is ready for distribution.
Mastering
The term used to describe the final process of adjusting levels, tone, compression, spacing, etc., to enhance the overall sound of a sound recording before release.
Mastering Engineer
A person who makes adjustments to enhance the final mix of a sound recording and prepares it for distribution.
Mechanical License
A license to reproduce and distribute a musical work in a physical or digital format.
Mechanical Right
The right to reproduce and distribute a musical work.
Mechanical Royalties
Money paid to the copyright owners of musical works whenever their musical works are reproduced, usually as a sound recording, in a digital or physical format.
Mediation
A voluntary dispute resolution method that may include all parties involved in a dispute.
Melodies
Successions of single musical notes in an organized manner.
Metadata
Data that describes other data, for example, information that describes creators, other rights holders, musical works, and sound recordings.
Mixing
The process of blending separate recorded tracks together to create a cohesive and balanced sound recording.
Mixing Engineer
A person who blends separate recorded parts of sound recording together to create a cohesive and balanced sound.
Monetize
The process of converting something into money.
Moral Rights
Rights that protect the identity, integrity, and reputation of creators and their work.
MP3
MPEG Audio Layer III (MP3) is an audio compression format designed to reduce the digital file size of audio recordings while maintaining an acceptable level of sound quality.
Music Producer
Sometimes called a studio producer or record producer, a person who typically helps a recording artist record a musical work. They are usually responsible for the entire recording process.
Music Publisher
A company that represents songwriters, supporting their career development, monetizing musical works, and protecting copyrights.
Music Supervisor
A person who selects and obtains licenses for the use of music works in film or television.
Musical Notation
A system of symbols and markings used by musicians for writing music down.
Musical Work
An original musical composition with or without lyrics.
Musician
A person who plays a musical instrument.
Neighboring Rights
Another term for Related Rights, the moral and economic rights creators and other rights holders have over their performances and sound recordings.
Non-featured Artist
An artist who performs an instrument or provides vocals as part of a sound recording or live performance but who is not credited as the main or secondary artist, for example, session musicians or backing singers.
Non-featured Performer
A performer who performs an instrument or provides vocals as part of a sound recording or live performance but who is not credited as the main or secondary artist, for example, session musicians or backing singers.
Perform
In the context of music, to play a musical work live or on a sound recording.
Performance
In the context of music, when a musical work is played live or on a sound recording.
Performance Royalties
Money paid to the rights holders of musical works or sound recordings whenever they are performed publicly. This can be a live performance or a broadcast of a sound recording.
Performer
In the context of music, a creator playing a musical work live or on a sound recording.
Performers' Rights
The moral and economic rights performers have over their performances.
Performing Right
The right to play a musical work publicly, live or as a sound recording
Physical Formats
Tangible items such as CDs, vinyl records, and cassettes.
Physical Product
Tangible items such as CDs, vinyl records, and cassettes.
Pirating
Reproducing copyrighted musical works and sound recordings without authorization
Pitch
To submit a song to be considered for use or inclusion, for example, in a curated playlist, for a licensing opportunity, or for a sound recording.
Primary Artist
Sometimes also referred to as the lead artist, releasing artist, featured artist, or main artist, it is a performer or group of performers credited as the main artist featuring live on stage or on the sound recording.
Print Music Royalties
Money generated through the sale or use of the printed or digital sheet music or lyrics of a musical work.
Print Rights
The rights to reproduce and distribute a musical work on sheet music.
Private Copying
Copying of musical works and sound recordings for private purposes.
Producer
Sometimes called a studio producer or record producer, a person who typically helps a recording artist record a musical work. They are usually responsible for the entire recording process.
Promoter
People or companies that organize and promote live music events, such as concerts, music festivals, and other live performances.
Pseudonyms
A name someone uses instead of their real name.
Public Domain
When a musical work, performance, or sound recording is no longer protected under copyright law.
Public Performance
When a musical work or sound recording is played live or communicated to the public, such as in clubs or restaurants, on radio, television, or streaming platforms.
Publishing Agreement
A contract between a songwriter and a music publisher for the publishing rights. It typically specifies the details of their agreement, the royalty percentage each party will receive, which countries the publisher will represent in, and the length of the contract.
Publishing Deal
A contract between a songwriter and a music publisher for the publishing rights. It typically specifies the details of their agreement, the royalty percentage each party will receive, which countries the publisher will represent in, and the length of the contract.
Record Company
A company that owns several record labels.
Record Contract
Also referred to as a record deal, a legally enforceable agreement by which an artist gives a record label the right to make recordings of their performances and to commercialize those recordings, usually in exchange for recording services, financing, promotion, and royalty payments.
Record Label
A company that invests in, manufactures, distributes, promotes, and monetizes sound recordings on behalf of the artist.
Record Label Deal
Also referred to as a record contract or recording contract, an agreement between an artist and a record label that often comes with a monetary advance and funding to cover costs for recording, marketing, promotion, and distribution. In exchange for these services, the record label usually takes ownership of the sound recordings and agrees to pay a percentage of royalties to the artist.
Record Producer
The person or company taking the responsibility for making a sound recording.
Recording
Typically, the recorded performance of a musical work. Under copyright law, it is referred to and protected as a phonogram, defined as a fixation of sounds exclusively.
Recording Artist
Usually, the main artist or performer who performed on a sound recording.
Recording Contracts
Also referred to as a record deal or record contract; a legally enforceable agreement by which an artist gives a record label the right to make recordings of their performances, and to commercialize those recordings, usually in exchange for recording services, financing, promotion and royalty payments.
Recoup
To receive payback of money given to creators.
Recoupable
Able to be recouped, for example, money given to a creator can be paid back.
Recoupable Arrangements
Items or services provided under agreement that their costs will be recouped, ie. paid back
Related Rights
The moral and economic rights creators and other rights holders have over their performances and sound recordings under copyright law.
Remix
Modifying, adding, or rearranging existing musical or vocal elements of a sound recording to create a new sound recording.
Remixer
A type of creator that modifies, adds, or rearranges existing musical or vocal elements of a sound recording to create a new sound recording.
Remixes
New sound recordings based on pre existing sound recording that have been modified, added to, or rearranged
Remuneration
A payment for the use of a musical work, sound recording or performance under a statutory license
Remuneration Rights
Under copyright law, the right to have payment for the use of a musical work, sound recording, or performance under a statutory license.
Reproduction
The action or process of copying, for example, making copies of a musical work or sound recordings
Right of Attribution
The moral right to be recognized as the author or performer
Right of Broadcasting
The right to play to the public a music work or sound recording by signal transmission, for example on radio or television
Right of Distribution
The right to offer copies of a musical work or sound recording for sale or consumption, for example through vinyl or CD sales, downloading or streaming
Right of Integrity
The moral right to be able to say no to any change that disrespects the author or performer
Right of Making Available to the Public
The right to communicate to the public a music work or sound recording in such a way that members of the public may access the work or sound recording from a place and at a time individually chosen by them, such as streaming or downloading
Right of Reproduction
The right to make copies of a musical work or sound recording
Rights
The controls creators or rights holders have over what they have created or produced and over their identity and image.
Rights Holder
A person or company that has Intellectual Property Rights in a musical work, performance or sound recording
Rights Management
General activities undertaken to administer, preside over or manage rights
Rights Owner
A person or company that owns Intellectual Property Rights to a musical work, performance or sound recording under copyright law
Royalties
Money paid for the right to use a musical work, performance or sound recording, typically but not always in the form of recurring payments
Sampling
The process of using parts of existing sound recordings in a new recording.
Self-Published
A creator who publishes their own music without the support of a music publisher.
Self-Releasing
Releasing music without the support of a record label
Self-Releasing Artist
Artists that release their music without the support of a record label.
Session Musician
A creator typically hired by recording studios or music producers to perform an instrument or provide vocals as part of a sound recording or live performance. They are usually paid a flat fee to contribute to a performance on a sound recording.
Setlist
The list of musical works publicly performed by an artist at an event such as a concert.
Shares
Also sometimes referred to as splits, the portion of ownership a rights holder has or portion of income they are entitled to.
Sheet Music
The musical notes, scores, bars, text, annotations, and lyrics written or printed documenting a musical work. It may also include instructions about how the musical work should be performed.
Single
A type of music release, usually of one song.
Song
A combination of a musical work and a sound recording.
Songwriter
A person who makes an original contribution to the creation of a musical composition or lyrics.
Songwriter Splits
Each rights holder's share of the rights in and income from a musical work.
Songwriting
The act of creating music or lyrics, or both.
Songwriting Credit
The acknowledgement of a person for their original contribution to the creation of a musical work.
Sound Recording
Typically, the recorded performance of a musical work protected as a phonogram under copyright law.
Sound Recording Files
Typically, digital music files in MP3, WAV, FLAC, or similar file types.
Sound Recording Owner
Under copyright law, the person or company responsible for the creation of the sound recording.
Sound Recording Splits
Each rights holder's share of the rights in and income from a sound recording.
Split
Also sometimes referred to as shares, the portion of ownership a rights holder has or the portion of income they are entitled to.
Split Sheet
A written document that identifies each contributor to a musical work or sound recording and their ownership share.
Stems
Individual tracks or recorded pieces of performances that make up a sound recording, for example, separate recordings of drums, guitar, or voice performances.
Streaming Data
Information provided by DSPs on the total number of streams and location of the listeners.
Streaming Royalties
Income generated from the consumption of sound recordings on DSP streaming services.
Streaming Services
Services that provide video or music content over the internet for people to watch or listen to immediately.
Sync License
A license to use a musical work with visual media in a so-called audiovisual work, such as movies, videos, TV shows, commercials, video games, or websites.
Sync Licensing
The process for obtaining the authorization to use a musical work with visual media in a so-called audiovisual work, such as movies, videos, TV shows, commercials, video games, or websites.
Synching
Reproducing a musical work for, and sometimes using, a pre-existing sound recording in audiovisual media.
Synchronization
Aka Sync, reproduction of musical works for, and sometimes the use of, a pre-existing sound recording in audiovisual media.
Synchronization Rights
The right to use a musical work with visual media, for example, a movie, TV program, video game, or website.
Synchronization Royalties
Income earned for the use of a musical work or sound recording in audiovisual media, such as movies, TV shows, advertisements, and video games.
Takedown Notice
The process of removal of copyrighted musical works and sound recordings from the internet that are being used without permission.
Tempo
The rate or speed at which music plays.
Tone
The frequencies of sound produced by instruments or vocals
Topline
The vocal melody and lyrics that sit on top of an instrumental, backing track, or beat.
Topliner
A songwriter that focuses primarily on writing the vocal melody and, in most cases, also the lyrics of a musical work.
Trackwriter
A type of creator that composes instrumental music, which lays the foundation for new musical works.
Translations
The adaptations of lyrics or other words into another language.
Translator
A type of creator that translates the lyrics of a musical work from one language into another.
User Generated Content
Aka UGC, any form of content created and shared by users on internet platforms. In the context of music, this is typically video content with music.
Verse
A part of a song, usually a longer section, that features changing lyrics rather than repeating lyrics, such as in the chorus.
WAV
Waveform Audio File Format: an audio file format that stores digital audio. It is known for its high-quality sound reproduction used for music production, audio recording, and playback.
Work
In the context of music, a composition with or without lyrics.
Work For Hire
An arrangement that automatically grants ownership of musical works, performances, or sound recordings made under an employment contract to the employer rather than the creator.
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