In 2021, CMU was commissioned by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to produce ‘Music Copyright Explained’, a free guide aimed at music-makers and other creators explaining the ins and outs of music copyright, which can be downloaded as a PDF or accessed via a bespoke website.

‘Music Copyright Explained’ sets out how copyright gives music-makers control over the songs and recordings they create. It also talks through how music-makers and their business partners in the music industry generate income out of their music rights, and summarises the key things creators need to know about music copyright and licensing.

The IPO is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property rights including copyright. With the shift to digital making it so much easier to record and share music, the IPO recognises that it’s more important than ever for all music-makers and other online creators to understand the basics of music copyright and music licensing.

That’s why it commissioned CMU to create ‘Music Copyright Explained’.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE