Why Music Copyright Matters?

A song only truly has value when its creator has control over how it is used and is paid for that use — that is the role of music copyright.

Disclaimer: This Article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace legal advice for specific situations.

TL; DR

Copyright is the legal engine that turns music from a hobby into a sustainable career. It gives creators the right to get paid and the power to control how their work is used. Many think copyright is just "legal red tape" or a way for big companies to sue fans. In reality, it is the primary mechanism protecting a creator's paycheck. Without understanding it, you might let others profit from your hard work or lose the ability to stop your music from being used in ways you do not support (like a political ad you oppose).

What is "Copyright value"?

In simple terms, copyright transforms a song from a creative idea into a legally recognized property asset. It is not just about preventing theft; it is about establishing ownership so that economic value can be exchanged.

1. Without copyright: A song is like a conversation - anyone can repeat it, change it, or sell it, and the original speaker gets nothing.
2. With copyright: Think of your song as real estate - Just like a house, you own it, you can rent it out (licensing), you can sell it (assignment), and you can decide who enters.

Why this concept exists?

This legal framework exists to address a fundamental issue: Sustainability. Creating music professionally involves significant costs (studio costs, equipment, marketing). If anyone could copy and sell a song the moment it is released, creators would never be able to recoup their investment. Copyright exists to ensure that those who create value are the ones who receive royalties proportionate to both their intellectual and financial investment.

The practical importance of Music Copyright: Three core pillars

In essence, Copyright is important because it grants creators three core types of power.

These three pillars help explain why copyright ownership has value and what copyright owners actually obtain in practice.

1. Economic Power (Getting Paid): The first pillar of copyright is economic power. It determines who receives payment when music is used.

   • Royalties: Each time a song is streamed online, broadcast on radio, or downloaded, copyright-related laws require that payment be made to the right holders.
   • Licensing Fees: If a brand wants to use your music in an advertisement or commercial projects, it must negotiate and pay a licensing fee.
   • Asset Value: Copyright does not only generate income; it is also a long-term asset. You can "sell" or transfer your copyright catalog in exchange for a large lump-sum payment.

2. Moral / Creative Power (Control): The second pillar of copyright is control, not money.

   • The Right of Integrity: In certain contexts, you can prevent your music from being distorted or altered in ways that harm your reputation.
   • The Right of Association: You can refuse to allow your work to be used by certain brands, decline political or controversial uses, and protect your personal image and values. This right helps protect not only the work itself, but also the creator's identity and reputation.

3. Enforcement Power (The ability to act when there is infringement): The third pillar of copyright is the ability to respond when infringement occurs.

   The third pillar of copyright is the ability to respond when infringement occurs. Copyright ownership provides the legal standing to take actions such as:

   • Requesting the removal of unauthorized uses,
   • Preventing or limiting infringing acts,
   • Requesting to receive revenue (monetize) instead of removing content.

In practice, digital platforms, distributors, and licensees usually only process requests from parties with clearly established ownership. If a person is not recognized as the copyright owner, even the original creator may have no legal basis to request enforcement.

Copyright does not automatically prevent infringement, but it grants the right holders the legal authority to take action when infringement occurs.

Risks & What can go wrong

• The "exposure" trap

Many creators are persuaded to give up their rights in exchange for "exposure."In practice, this weakens the value of their copyright and creates a dangerous precedent that their work can be used for free.

• Unsigned or incomplete Split Sheets

If ownership of a song is not clearly documented from the beginning, the song may become impossible to license later. Even a valuable opportunity—such as a licensing deal with a major streaming platform—can collapse if one co-writer refuses to confirm their ownership percentages, leaving the copyright legally unusable.

• Loss of control through unbalanced deals

When copyright is transferred under a poorly structured or exploitative agreement, the creator may lose meaningful control over the music. In some cases, this can even limit the creator's ability to perform or use their own work publicly.

Self-check checklist: Is your Copyright being neglected?

Take a quick self-check:

• Have you registered protection for the works you created?

  Have you registered your works with the national copyright authority (for example, the Copyright Office)?

• Do you clearly know what you own?

  Do you know exactly which songs you own, and who is currently collecting copyright royalties for those songs?

• Have you clearly agreed on rights with your co-creators?

  Have you signed a Split Sheet or a written document confirming ownership percentages with all co-writers, producers, or other creative contributors?

  A Split Sheet is a document that records who owns what percentage of rights in a song.

• Have you authorized a suitable representative to manage your copyright?

  Have you authorized a copyright administrator or a collective management organization to monitor, license, and optimize copyright revenue on your behalf?

• Do you monitor how your music is being used?

  Are you using tools such as Content ID or other rights management systems to check where your music is being used without permission?

• Are you actually receiving copyright royalties?

  Do you regularly review reports and cash flows to ensure that your copyright is generating income for you?

If you cannot clearly answer any of the questions above, it is very likely that your copyright is not being properly managed or effectively exploited.