Distribution rights

What are distribution rights?

In the music industry, distribution rights are the rights to distribute a musical work or sound recording 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 distribution and may or may not involve the right of reproduction which are part of the economic rights protected by copyright law. They may be licensed as part of the mechanical rights, 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 split between the songwriters and sometimes music publishers of the musical work, the owners of the sound recording, and performers.

Visit our pages on Songwriter Splits and Sound Recording Splits to learn more.

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