Recording rights

What are recording rights?

Recording rights are the rights of performers to authorize the fixation of their performances on a sound recording. Performers typically give their authorization as part of their contracts with record labels.

Under copyright law, recording rights derive from the right of fixation.

Explore our page on Rights in Performances and Sound Recordings.

When performers agree to fix their performances on a sound recording, they continue to own other rights in their fixed performances and may or may not transfer any of those rights to the record label or a CMO. In some countries and situations, performers’ economic rights are transferred to the owner of the sound recording by law.

For more, visit our pages on Transfer and Licensing, Record Labels, Sound Recording Owners, and CMOs.

Who has the recording rights?

Recording rights belong to all performers, including artists, bands, orchestras, and session musicians. That means all performers on a sound recording have to give their authorization.

In case you are an independent self-releasing artist and create your own sound recordings, remember to make sure you always have written and signed agreements from all performers who contributed to your sound recording.

Illustration credit: Jakob Vidkjær, Playminds