As an Artist, Here’s What You Should Know About Music Copyright

As an Artist, Here’s What You Should Know About Music Copyright

“What is Copyright?” Copyright can be defined as legal entitlement to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute a work. According to the Copyright Act LFN 2022, the category of Works eligible to confer copyright include (a) literary works; (b) musical works; (c) artistic works; (d) audiovisual works; (e) sound recordings; and (f) broadcasts.

The owner of these works has the exclusive right to

The right to reproduce the work

The right to publish the work

The right to perform the work in public

The right to produce, reproduce, perform, or publish any translation of the work

The right to distribute to the public, for commercial purposes, copies of the work through sale or other transfer of ownership

Relating this to the music industry, copyright denotes the owner’s (artist/labels) ownership and right to exploit their musical works in the manner described above. When these rights are violated without permission of the copyright owner/holder, copyright infringement occurs.

Copyright infringement emerges as one of the most pressing concerns. Unfortunately, countless artists, labels, and investors fall victim to this exploitation, wherein their works are utilized without consent or appropriate compensation. Common examples of copyright infringement in the music industry occur when your song is used in a movie without your permission, your lyrics are used in a song without your consent, copies of your CD are being reproduced without your knowledge, your music is illegally downloaded … the list goes on.

Despite the challenges posed by copyright infringement, there is hope in the legal frameworks of Nigeria as contained in the Copyright Act of 2022, which protects copyright and lists out stanchions for infringers. Noteworthy is that the new act caters to physical and digital infringements, which is necessary to cater to the current realities of today.  Internet providers are encouraged to flag suspicious infringing actions, take down, cease and desist notices also serve as a tool to curb infringement.

To conclude, copyright is essential in the creative industry and merits serious attention. Whether you’re a songwriter, lyricist, composer, or performer, understanding your rights is crucial in maximizing your potential and ensuring equitable compensation for your work. In the event of infringement, seeking legal advice and asserting your rights through appropriate channels is imperative.