Untitled Flashcards Set

Cover Version

A re-recorded version of a song by one or many subsequent artists after the initial recorded version has been released.

Infringement

The legal term for stealing, or otherwise profiting from someone else’s copyrighted work.

Master

The final mixed version of a recorded song that is intended to be released for commercial sale.

Mechanical License

A document that grants permission for someone to record a song.

Musicians Union Scale

The contract wages paid to a studio musician for instrumental work on a demo or master recording session.

Performing Rights Organization (PRO)

Organizations that collect royalties earned from performances of a copyrighted song.

Publishing Administration

The collection and/or distribution of royalties generated by copyrighted songs.

Publishing Catalog Sale

The sale of a large group of published songs.

Recoupable

Monies paid to a songwriter as an advance against future earnings, recoverable from actual royalty earnings.

Reversion

A clause stating copyright ownership of the song will revert to the songwriter if the publisher fails to get the song recorded.

Royalties

Actual monies earned from a song being recorded, performed, or distributed.

Self-Published

Describes songwriters who retain their publishing rights and work independently.

Sequencing

Programming a digital keyboard or drum synthesizer to play pre-arranged parts simultaneously.

Song Plugger

An employee of a publishing company who pitches songs to artists and record producers.

Song Quota

The minimum number of songs required to be written by a songwriter receiving financial advance from a publisher.

Staff Writer

A songwriter signed exclusively to a publishing company.

Statutory Rate

The fixed royalty rate determined by an act of congress.

Streaming MP3's

An audio format that allows music to be listened to via the internet without downloading.

Sync Fee

Monies paid for the use of a song in a film or TV show.

Unsolicited Songs

Tapes or CDs sent to a publisher or record label without prior consent.

Virtual CDs (or NetCDs)

Music that can be directly downloaded without the need for purchasing a physical copy.