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Glossary

184 terms from music distribution, metadata, copyright, collective management, royalties, platforms and production. Explained clearly, with links to laws, guides and official sources.

A

Adaptation (derivative work) Copyright and licensing A new work created by creatively adapting another – a remix, an arrangement, a translated lyric. It needs the original author's consent. Also: derivative work, adaptation

B

Beat licence Copyright and licensing The terms under which you may use someone else's instrumental (beat) – stream limits, platforms, credits, exclusivity. Also: beat lease, beat licence, free for profit

C

Co-authorship Copyright and licensing A work created jointly by several authors as one work. Co-authors decide about it together. Also: co-writer, co-author, joint authorship Copyright (authors' rights) Copyright and licensing An author's rights in their work – moral rights (authorship, integrity) and economic rights (the right to use the work and to permit its use). Also: copyright, authors' rights Copyright (US concept) Copyright and licensing The Anglo-American term for rights in a work. In distribution it mostly appears as the C-line (©) of a release. Also: copyright, © Copyright infringement Copyright and licensing Using someone else's work, performance or recording without a licence or beyond its scope. Also: infringement, piracy Cover version Copyright and licensing Your own new recording of someone else's song. The original composer and lyricist remain the authors. Also: cover, cover song

E

Economic rights Copyright and licensing The author's right to use the work and to permit others to use it for a fee – reproduction, distribution, communication to the public. Also: economic rights, exploitation rights Exclusive licence Copyright and licensing A licence under which the licensor may not grant the same use to anyone else (and usually may not use it that way themselves). Also: exclusive licence, exclusive license, exclusive rights

I

Inheritance of music and account Copyright and licensing The account, released recordings and royalty entitlements are part of the estate and pass to the heirs. Also: inheritance, estate, heirs, death of an artist

L

Licence Copyright and licensing Permission to use a work or recording in a defined way, to a defined extent and for a defined period. Also: licence, license, licence agreement

M

Moral rights Copyright and licensing The author's non-transferable rights – to decide on publication, to be named as the author and to protect the work against distortion. Also: moral rights, author's personal rights

N

Non-exclusive licence Copyright and licensing A licence under which the licensor may grant the same use to others too. Typical of cheaper beat leases. Also: non-exclusive licence, non-exclusive license, lease

P

Personal data (GDPR) Copyright and licensing Information about an identifiable person. Its processing is governed by the GDPR and the Czech Personal Data Processing Act. Also: GDPR, data protection, personal data processing Private use exception Copyright and licensing A statutory exception for using a work for one's own personal needs. It does not cover publishing, selling or distribution. Also: private use, personal use exception Public domain Copyright and licensing A work whose economic rights have expired – usually 70 years from the end of the year of the author's death. Anyone may use it. Also: public domain, public domain work

Q

Quotation Copyright and licensing A statutory exception for using an excerpt with attribution where justified by the purpose (criticism, review, teaching). Also: quotation, quotation exception

R

Related rights Copyright and licensing The rights of performers, producers of sound and audiovisual recordings and broadcasters – rights in the performance and the recording. Also: related rights, neighbouring rights

S

Sample Copyright and licensing An excerpt of someone else's recording used in a new recording. It requires consent from both the recording owner and the song's authors. Also: sample, sampling Sublicence Copyright and licensing A permission the licensee passes on to a third party – allowed only if the licence permits it. Also: sublicence, sublicense Synchronisation (sync) Copyright and licensing Combining music with images – film, advertising, games, video. Requires a licence from both the authors and the recording owner. Also: sync, sync licence, synchronization

W

Withdrawal from a contract Copyright and licensing A consumer's right to withdraw from a distance contract, usually within 14 days. Exceptions apply to some services and digital content. Also: withdrawal, right of withdrawal, cooling-off period Work (composition) Copyright and licensing Music and lyrics as the result of the authors' creative work – regardless of who records them and how. Also: musical work, composition Work made by an employee Copyright and licensing A work created by an author to fulfil employment duties; the employer exercises the economic rights. Also: employee work, work for hire (CZ)