Revised 09/98

MUS 179 - Music Copyright Law (1 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces the legal problems and normal conventions practiced within the commercial music industry. Provides a basic understanding of national and international music copyright laws, as well as the relationship in the copyright process between the artist, producer, engineer, and record company. Lecture 1 hour per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is designed to introduce the student to the many complex laws and relationships which govern, control, and protect the music industry in general and in the recording industry in particular. Through theoretical study, directed research, and practical application, the student will acquire a basic background and understanding of music and copyright law as it applies to the commercial music industry.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Concurrent enrollment in the Recording Technology Certificate program.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should have:

• an awareness of the general guidelines provided by the U.S. Copyright Law of 1976 and recent amendments to that law
• a basic understanding of international copyright laws and conventions
• a basic understanding of the steps taken in obtaining copyright protection for an original work or recording
• a basic understanding of the contractual relationships between the parties to various recording scenarios
• an awareness of the roles that ASCAP and BMI play in the collection of copyright royalties

Major Topics to Be Included

• The U.S. Copyright Law of 1976 and its amendments
• International copyright conventions and practices 
• Obtaining copyright protection for musical works, recordings, and videos
• ASCAP and BMI as protective associations
• Services provided by the Library of Congress, Copyright Division