The Copyright Clause in the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the authority to establish Copyrights:

“The Congress shall have power . . . To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries” (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 8).

U.S. Copyright Statute

This is the statute that sets forth the law for copyrights in America.

The Berne Convention

This is an international treaty that governs copyrights in the world.

Copyright Basics

The United States Copyright Office’s circular that explains the basics of copyright law.

U.S. Code, Title 15, Chapter 22 (The Lanham Act)

This statute sets forth federal trademark law for the United States. It also includes the Madrid Protocol which sets forth the international system for registration of marks.

Trademark Basics

The United States Patent and Trademark Office explains the basics of trademark law.

California Right of Publicity Statute

This is the law in California that protects the right of publicity.

California Secretary of State

Among other duties, the Secretary of State maintains business filings and trademark filings in California.

American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)

ASCAP protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works.

Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI)

BMI collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.

SESAC (originally the Society of European Stage Authors & Composers)

SESAC is a performing rights organization designed to represent songwriters and publishers and their right to be compensated for having their music performed in public.

GMR (Global Music Rights)

GMR is another performing rights organization designed to represent songwriters and publishers and their right to be compensated for having their music performed in public.

SoundExchange

SoundExchange is the sole entity in the United States that collects statutory performance rights royalties from satellite radio (such as SIRIUS XM), internet radio, cable TV music channels and similar platforms for streaming sound recordings on behalf of featured recording artists, master rights owners (like record labels), and independent artists who record and own their masters. In addition, SoundExchange represents featured artists and recording companies, both domestically and abroad, in the areas of hometaping/private copy royalties and rental royalties.

Harry Fox Agency

HFA is the foremost mechanical licensing and collection agency for physical mechanical royalties and foreign mechanical royalties distributed to music publishers in the U.S.

The MLC

The MLC is the foremost mechanical licensing and collection agency for streaming mechanical royalties distributed to music publishers in the U.S.

Recording Artist Royalties

The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund distributes royalties to musicians or singers who have performed on a recording that is entitled to a distribution.

Music Reports

Music Reports distributes mechanical royalties, and also serves organizations seeking expertise and solutions in music rights licensing, administration, and royalty accounting.

American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM/AFofM)

AFM/AFofM is a labor union of professional musicians in the United States and Canada. As a member of the AFM, musicians can receive benefits such as collective bargaining contracts for wages and working conditions, pension and health plans, insurance programs specifically tailored toward musicians, and achieve legislative goals.

SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA is a national labor union representing over 70,000 performers, journalists and other artists working in the entertainment and news media. SAG-AFTRA’s scope of representation covers broadcast, public and cable television (news, sports and weather; drama and comedy, soaps, talk and variety shows, documentaries, children’s programming, reality and game shows); radio (news, commercials, hosted programs); sound recordings (CDs, singles, Broadway cast albums, audio books); “non-broadcast” and industrial material as well as Internet and digital programming.

The Society of Composers & Lyricists (The SCL)

An association for composers, lyricists, and songwriters working in motion pictures, television, and multimedia.

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA)

This is the leading trade association in the United States for music publishers, serving as a voice and advocate on behalf of music publishers and songwriters in the press, the halls of Congress, the courtroom and federal agencies.

Recording Industry Association of America (The RIAA)

This is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

The Recording Academy

Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, the Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community.

The National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP)

NARIP promotes education, career advancement and good will among record executives. With an emphasis on becoming better informed and more effective, NARIP offers professional development opportunities, educational programs and seminars, the opportunity to meet and interact with peers, a job bank, a member resume database for employers, a mentor network, a newsletter and other services.