Music Licensing: A Practical Guide

The world of music licensing can be complex and confusing. Whether you produce TV programs, own a radio station, stream content over the internet or own a bar, you probably use music. That music was composed and recorded by a music creator who has rights under the U.S. copyright laws

and likely needs to be paid music royalties.

This Guide takes you step-by-step through the process of music licensing from the perspective of a music user - whether broadcaster, producer, venue owner, or streamer.

Who controls music rights? How is music licensed? How are fees paid by music users to music creators determined and calculated? How do you license public performance rights? And what is a Performance Rights Organization?

Few people in the United States understand music licensing as thoroughly as Janet McHugh. In this Guide, she takes a step-by-step approach, unraveling the complicated legal jargon and laws with straight-forward explanations. Along the way, she identifies the key players and processes in

the music licensing business.

The Guide is designed for a broad audience - from lawyers who deal with music licensing daily to business managers who encounter it only occasionally. No matter what music licensing issues you face, McHugh will demystify music licensing, answer frequently asked questions and explain

why and how you pay for the music you use.