How to Make Money with Your Music Copyrights (Coursera)

Taught by the experienced entertainment attorney and record label executive turned Berklee instructor, Professor Tonya Butler J.D., LL.M., you will learn how to utilize the different copyrights available in the US copyright law for musical works in order to access the four primary revenue streams.

You will start by learning the basics of US copyright law and the difference between a musical work and a sound recording. Then, you will learn about the four primary revenue streams and hear from industry professionals and their tips on achieving success in the music industry. Finally, you will learn how music artists can make money as the owners of their own sound recordings. By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of the different ways and the various organizations that can help you get paid for your music.

Syllabus

Welcome to the Course!

Welcome to the course! In this first module, we will cover all of the details about this course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Lesson 1: What is Copyright?

In this lesson we will begin with the basics of music copyright law and how your money is directly connected to the ownership of your copyrights. We will also take a look at music publishing and the four primary sources of revenue for songwriters.

Lesson 2: Mechanical and Print Income

In this lesson, we will discuss the definition of a mechanical reproduction, how to obtain a mechanical license, and the various ways to generate mechanical royalties.

Lesson 3: Public Performance Income

In this lesson we will discuss the role of performing rights organizations and how they collect public performance royalties. We will also dive into making money by writing for movies, TV shows, and commercials.

Lesson 4: Artists Ownership of Master/Sound Recordings

In this final lesson, we will shift our focus from songwriters to artists. We will talk about the differences between being a songwriter vs. an artist and how artists get paid from the ownership of their master recording copyrights.