Musical works vs. sound recordings: two types of music assets
Knowing the difference between a musical work and a sound recording makes it possible to assign the right metadata to each of these important music assets. In fact, it’s key to managing your music catalog efficiently and effectively.
Not sure where to start? MusicTeam® is here to help! Let’s jump right in.
Key Takeaway:
- A musical work includes melodies, compositions, and lyrics intended to be sung or performed with music. They are protected under copyright law, similar to literary, dramatic, and choreographic works, as well as motion pictures and other audiovisual works.. The rights associated with a musical work are distinct from any recording of that work.
- A sound recording is the fixation of a musical work in a tangible medium, such as a digital file or CD. A recording of a musical work is treated as a separate music asset from the work itself.
So, musical works and sound recordings are both music assets. What is a music asset, anyway?
Music asset: a type of intellectual property
In general, an asset is anything you own that has monetary value. 
In the music industry, an asset could be a composition, song, album, or segment of a work that is available on the market. It could also be the copyright, distribution rights, performance rights publishing rights or neighbouring rights associated with a work or recording.
This intangible intellectual property can generate income through various royalty streams such as sales, streaming, public performances, and licensing.
For example, a music production company that owns the rights to a musical work can earn revenue whenever that work is played or sold. A music catalog is an asset that, in some cases, can be of high value when sold or licensed as a whole.
When you know what type of music asset you have rights to, you can claim the royalties to which you are entitled.
Now let’s take a look at the difference between two key music assets that are a source of royalties for artists at all stages of their careers: musical works and sound recordings.
Breaking down musical works
A musical work refers to an original composition or song created by a composer or songwriter. In broad terms, a musical work is the underlying creative content of a piece of music, independent of any specific performance or recording.
The concept of a musical work applies to various formats, including but not limited to:
- Songs
- Instrumental works
- Musical theatre compositions
- Jingles
- Sheet music
- Short musical phrases for commercial use
- Video game music
In general, the following elements are treated as a whole under the term musical work:
- Melody: The main sequence of notes that form the core of the composition;
- Harmony: The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions;
- Rhythm: The timing and placement of musical sounds and silences;
- Lyrics or libretto: The written words meant to be vocalized with the music (if applicable).
What is a musical work, in terms of royalties, rights and licensing?
When referring to a musical work in the context of royalties, rights and licensing, the term refers to the intellectual property that forms the basis of a musical composition. It is the abstract, notated, or conceptual version of a song before it is performed or recorded. A musical work is a copyrightable entity distinct from any specific performance or sound recording of the composition.
It’s important to understand fully what a musical work is so you can collect what you are owed and protect your copyright. Artists need to know which unique music identifier to associate with each type of music asset so they can claim their right to any associated royalties.
For example, you will need an ISWC for each individual musical work for which you want to claim your right to collect royalties. For each recording of that work, you will need an ISRC. Basically, once you know what type of music asset you are claiming, you can get the right code, and get paid the right royalties. That’s why you need to know what a musical work is.
Rights associated with musical works
Once you have registered a musical work and assigned an ISWC to that work, you have the following exclusive rights:
- Reproduction: You have the right to reproduce your musical work in any format, such as sheet music, digital files, or physical copies like CDs or vinyl.
- Distribution: You can distribute copies of your work to the public by sale, rental, lease, or lending. This includes digital downloads and streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
- Public Performance: You control when and where your musical work is performed publicly, such as in concerts, on the radio, or in public venues. This also applies to streaming services.
- Adaptation (Derivative Works): You can create or authorize derivative works based on your original composition. Examples include remixes, new arrangements, or adaptations for film and TV.
- Communication: You have the right to communicate your work to the public via broadcasting or online platforms like YouTube.
- Synchronization: You control the use of your composition in audiovisual works like movies, TV shows, advertisements, and video games. This requires a synch license.
What is a sound recording?
A sound recording is defined as actual recorded performance of a musical work. It includes the specific version of the song that is captured and fixed in a digital or physical format. It is distinct from any individual musical work that may be part of the recording and has its own copyright protections. A sound recording does not include sounds accompanying movies, video or audiovisual works.
Sound recording rights
Owning the sound recording copyright is not the same as owning the musical work copyright. Sound recordings are independently protected works under copyright law with specific rights and limitations distinct from those of musical works.
The copyright owner of a sound recording holds exclusive rights to:
- Reproduction: Make copies of the recording.
- Distribution: Sell or distribute copies to the public.
- Derivative Works (Adaptation): Create adaptations such as remixes or videos using the recording.
- Public Performance: Public performances of the sound recording, including broadcasting, streaming, or playing it in public venues. Note that rules may differ according to country.
Unlike musical works, sound recordings do not have a public display right.
Sound recording royalties
Revenue streams for sound recordings include royalties from digital streaming platforms, sales, and licensing.
Check out our other article for more details about the difference between mechanical royalties and performance royalties.
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MusicTeam® is an all-in-one music catalog management platform. We help professional artists learn what you need to know to get paid what you are owed.
When you know the difference between sound recordings and musical works, you take the first step to managing these music assets correctly.
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