From the course: Music Law: Recording, Management, Rights, and Performance Contracts

Unlock this course with a free trial

Join today to access over 25,300 courses taught by industry experts.

The grant

The grant

From the course: Music Law: Recording, Management, Rights, and Performance Contracts

Start my 1-month free trial Buy for my team

The grant

“

- An artist possesses something that the label wants, the exclusive rights or copyright to a musical recording. To obtain these rights, the record contract includes a provision referred to as The Grant of Rights, or just The Grant. There are two ways a label can get this transfer of copyright. It can lease the copyright for a period of time, known as a license, or it can purchase ownership of the recording copyright, known as an assignment. Occasionally, a label requires copyright under a principle known as the work made for hire rule, in which the label hires or employs the artist. With a license, an artist retains copyright, but gives up, or rents rights temporarily. With an assignment, the artist transfers title to the copyright, much like the sale of a house. However, these distinctions can be artificial because some licenses last forever, making them similar to assignments, and some assignments are not permanent, the label gives the copyright back to the artist. So when it comes…

Contents