Music Publishing

Aims of the module

• The Module will guide students towards a critical understanding of song and composition copyrights, their value both in the music industry and across other areas of business, how they can be monetised, utilised and provide the foundation for future business growth.
• We will consider Music Publishing contracts and how they have developed and changed, over time, following various legal interventions by Songwriters.
• The Module will clarify the various ways songs and compositions can be ‘exploited’ in order to generate revenues for the copyright owner and how those revenues are collected and distributed by the major international ‘Collection Societies’.
• Students will learn about the history of various iconic songs and their writers. The Module will evaluate the Copyright Act 1988 and critically analyse how it has impacted upon the Music Publishing business.
• Students will discuss and debate the key contemporary Music Publishing arguments regarding ownership of songs, credits for writing and composing songs, use of original copyrights in secondary compositions and the value of songs in respect of digital streaming.