Many creators assume that old music recordings automatically belong to the public domain. In reality, determining whether a historic recording is still protected requires analyzing the musical composition, sound recording, copyright laws, and the changes introduced by the Music Modernization Act. This guide explains how copyright protection applies to recordings published before 1972, and what creators should consider before using them.

No toda grabación musical antigua pertenece al dominio público. Las composiciones musicales y las grabaciones sonoras pueden estar sujetas a regímenes distintos de protección, especialmente cuando fueron publicadas antes del 15 de febrero de 1972. La Music Modernization Act transformó el tratamiento legal de estas grabaciones y hace indispensable analizar cada caso antes de reutilizar una obra histórica.

Many creators think "If I put a Fair Use disclaimer in my video, I'm protected." Unfortunately, that's not how copyright law works. Many creators mistakenly believe that phrases like Copyright disclaimers automatically shield them from copyright claims. In reality, Fair Use is a legal defense that depends on a fact-specific analysis—not a disclaimer. This article explains how Fair Use actually works for YouTube videos.

Many artists understand publishing royalties. Few understand SoundExchange. Every year, millions of dollars are generated from digital performances on services like Pandora, SiriusXM, and internet radio. Federal law requires those royalties to be distributed among record labels, featured artists, and non-featured performers—but who gets paid, and why? This article breaks down the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act.

Should two companies form a new LLC before launching a joint venture? While many businesses prefer the simplicity of operating through a contractual arrangement, doing so can create significant legal, tax, liability, and intellectual property risks if not properly structured. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of operating a joint venture without a separate entity and outlines practical strategies for reducing risk while preserving flexibility.

Music catalog sales can generate life-changing wealth — but without proper planning, taxes can dramatically impact the final proceeds. As catalog acquisitions continue to dominate the music industry, artists, songwriters, producers, and rights holders are increasingly evaluating the tax implications of selling music rights. We break down the major legal and tax concepts behind modern music catalog transactions.

Museums are more than exhibitions and galleries. Behind every museum are complex legal, financial, operational, and intellectual property issues—from acquisitions and conservation to governance, funding, and copyright. Here are the legal basics every museum operator should know.

Can a museum legally display copyrighted artwork without permission? Sometimes—yes. Here’s how the fair use doctrine allows museums and exhibits to navigate one of the most complicated areas of copyright law.

La IA no solo crea contenido. También se entrena con contenido existente. Y ahí está el problema legal. ¿Es esto fair use, o infracción?

La IA puede crear música, arte, incluso contenido completo. Pero hay un problema: Puede que nadie tenga derechos sobre esa obra. Aquí analizamos lo que dice la ley.

Music licensing can get expensive—fast. But what if you could achieve the same impact without paying thousands in licensing fees? Here are 5 practical strategies to reduce costs while staying compliant.

Music is everywhere in sports—from stadium entrance music to halftime shows. But do sporting events actually need permission to play those songs? In this article, we break down the copyright rules and music licensing requirements for sporting events and broadcasts.

Digital radio platforms like Pandora and SiriusXM generate a separate royalty stream known as digital transmission royalties. In this guide, we explain how SoundExchange works, who pays these royalties, and how artists can make sure they collect what they’re owed.

Si tu música se está explotando pero tus regalías no llegan (o los reportes “desaparecen”), esto no es solo frustración: puede ser un caso legal. Aquí te explicamos a quién reclamar, qué documentos reunir, y qué remedios existen para recuperar pagos y exigir contabilidad.

Los fondos de derechos musicales no compran “canciones”. Compran flujos de ingresos respaldados por propiedad intelectual: streaming, PROs, mecánicas y sync. Esta guía te explica cómo funcionan, cómo se financian (equity vs. deuda) y qué miran en debida diligencia antes de comprar un catálogo.

La venta de catálogos musicales es una operación financiera compleja donde participan fondos, sellos, abogados, contables y plataformas digitales. Descubre quiénes son los actores clave y cómo influyen en el valor de la música.

Las ventas de catálogos musicales están transformando la industria. Desde los Beatles hasta Taylor Swift y Shakira, descubre por qué los derechos musicales se han convertido en uno de los activos más valiosos del mercado global.

Antes de firmar, hazte estas preguntas: ¿Qué estás vendiendo? ¿Porqué? ¿Qué vas a hacer con las ganancias? Te explicamos cómo organizarte para maximizar el valor de la venta de tu música.

Experiencing Spotify artist account problems? Learn how to fix royalties, profile errors, and distribution issues — and when legal help may be needed.

Wondering how YouTube views translate into publishing royalties? Learn the formulas, variables, and best practices artists should know.