What Rights Does Copyright Give Me As A Musician?
In Australia, copyright protection is automatic and free. As a musician you will enjoy exclusive rights in relation to your music. Such rights are only fair considering the amount of time and dedication required to produce original music. I will briefly explain the basic rights that you will have as a copyright owner.
Firstly, you will be entitled to reproduce your work. An example of this would be if you were to make copies of your music onto CD, DVD or by way of digital download. An individual or group will infringe your copyright if they reproduce your work without your permission, even if the reproduction is not exact. If a ‘new’ work is substantially similar to that of an existing piece it is likely that the rights of the copyright owner have been infringed.
Secondly, you will have the right to publish your work. ‘Publication’ in the context of copyright law basically means the supply or distribution of copies of the material to the general public. An example of this may be the sale or supply of your compositions as sheet music.
Thirdly, you will have the right to communicate your work to the public. This right is very broad and would include having your music playing on the radio, internet, or television as well as in cafes and bars. In a nutshell, this covers any scenario whereby a piece of music is performed or communicated publically as opposed to in private. This will involve licensing and payment to you as the copyright owner. In Australia, APRA will collect funds on behalf of the artist, so it is fundamental that you are registered if you want to collect royalties.
Lastly, you will be free to make an adaption of your work. Common examples of this would include the making of arrangements and transcriptions. To confuse matters, copyright law entitles others to use a musical work without obtaining a licence if it is deemed to be a parody or satire of an original work.
There are no formalities necessary or fees to pay in order to be eligible for copyright protection. All that is required is that your music is recorded in some form. In terms of duration this simple process will generally give copyright protection for the life of the creator plus 70 years.
