The terms The adaptations of lyrics or other words into another language. and Any form of modification or alteration of a musical work or sound recording to create a new musical work or sound recording can apply to a musical work's lyrical and musical elements. But when we speak of translators, we are referring to the role that translates only the The words written to be performed by singers, rappers, and other vocalists. in the musical work, hence the translation.
Under National laws that protect creators' and other rights holders' moral and economic rights in musical works, performances, and sound recordings., both translations and adaptations require authorization from the original unless the work is in the When a musical work, performance, or sound recording is no longer protected under copyright law., and both qualify as A new work based on a pre-existing work..
You can learn more about adaptations on our Adaptor page.
What is a Translator?
A translator translates lyrics into a different language so that a musical work can be performed or re-recorded in other countries or for other purposes, for example, Karaoke, or publication in a songbook.
A translator may use a word-for-word translation or poetic license approach, which is sometimes necessary to ensure the musical work's meaning isn't lost in the translated language.
Copyright ownership for translators
When pre-existing lyrics are translated, the translated work usually qualifies as a derivative work. The translator will co-own the The controls creators or rights holders have over what they have created or produced and over their identity and image. in the translated work but needs authorization from the authors of the original work to translate it.
Translators are considered authors under copyright law if their contribution to the translation is A creative contribution to a musical work that is sufficiently distinct from any pre-existing musical work. This means both they and the author of the pre-existing musical work can own a share of the The controls creators or rights holders have over what they have created or produced and over their identity and image. in the translated work, which is called a derivative work under copyright law.
Properly documenting the translator's share of the rights is the first step for them to be credited and receive a share of earnings when the musical work is used. Learn more about this in the Songwriter Splits and Registering Musical Works topics.
Translators that have multiple creative roles
If you are a translator, you might also have additional roles when writing or recording a musical work, in which case you might also have additional shares in the ownership of that musical work and the Typically, the recorded performance of a musical work protected as a phonogram under copyright law.. Find out more about how this works in the Recording topic. To understand authors' rights in more detail, visit the Music Creators’ Rights topic.
Illustration credit: Martin Fabricius Rasmussen