What is a translation?
A translation is a form of of words, such as the of a into another language. Translating means keeping the meaning of the original lyrics unchanged and only expressing those into another language.
Lyrics are often translated into different languages so that a musical work can be performed or re-recorded as a new in other countries.
Translations can be word-for-word translations or by poetic license approach. This is sometimes necessary to ensure the musical work’s meaning and artistic expression isn’t lost in the translated version.
What rights are involved in creating a translation?
Since a translation of the lyrics of a musical work is an adaptation of a pre-existing musical work, it qualifies as a . Therefore, the and of its and are applicable, and you must get permission from these to translate the original lyrics.
If the request to translate lyrics is approved, a fee will typically be paid to the music publisher to remunerate rights holders of the original lyrics.
Learn more about the different types of rights in the Rights topic.
Who owns rights in translations?
If you translated the lyrics of a musical work, you will own the in the translation, while the rights holders of the original lyrics will continue to own the rights in the lyrics. Therefore, both you and the owners of the original lyrics will own a share of the musical work using the translated lyrics. Rights holders of the original lyrics must be and will receive a share of any income when the musical work with the translated lyrics is used.
If a new sound recording is created with the translated lyrics and released, you will own a share of the musical work and receive income based on what you negotiated and agreed with the rights holders of the original musical work.
Image credit: Martin Fabricius Rasmussen