What are distribution rights?
In the music industry, distribution rights are the rights to distribute a An original musical composition with or without lyrics. or Typically, the recorded performance of a musical work protected as a phonogram under copyright law. online through downloading of digital copies and interactive streaming or sales of copies of sound recordings on physical products such as CDs or vinyl records.
Distribution rights are based on the right of The process of delivering sound recordings to DSPs and physical retailers. and may or may not involve the right of The action or process of copying, for example, making copies of a musical work or sound recordings which are part of the The rights to control or receive payment for the commercial exploitation of works, performances, sound recordings, and broadcasts. protected by National laws that protect creators' and other rights holders' moral and economic rights in musical works, performances, and sound recordings.. They may be licensed as part of the The right to reproduce and distribute a musical work., or separately.
For more information, explore our pages on Mechanical Rights, Rights in Musical Works, and Rights in Performances and Sound Recordings.
Who has the distribution rights?
Distribution rights are owned and Also sometimes referred to as shares, the portion of ownership a rights holder has or the portion of income they are entitled to. between the A person who makes an original contribution to the creation of a musical composition or lyrics. and sometimes A company that represents songwriters, supporting their career development, monetizing musical works, and protecting copyrights. of the musical work, the owners of the sound recording, and In the context of music, a creator playing a musical work live or on a sound recording..
Visit our pages on Songwriter Splits and Sound Recording Splits to learn more.
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