ASCAP's Bill of Rights for Songwriters & Composers
Music Creators must know the rights that support their own acts of creation...
What is copyright, and why is it important for creators of music? If you are reading this, you are likely an aspiring music creator yourself. You appreciate the value of music - as a source of inspiration for us all. You also understand that writing or composing a piece of music is arduous and time-consuming. Professional songwriters and composers are constantly challenged to create great music. They also face the enormous task of earning a living from their creations.
Copyright - an idea that originates in the U.S. Constitution - ensures that music creators can benefit from their hard work. Think of copyright as a way of protecting intellectual works, such as music, from being taken against the will of the creator. Copyright laws provide songwriters and composers with certain rights regarding the use of their music. These rights include the right to be credited for the music, the right to choose who can perform the music, and the right to receive money for the use of their work. The purpose of copyright is to spark the creation of new music by giving the creators the incentive to make music. Copyright, therefore, is essential to the future of music.
Today more than ever before, that future is being threatened. Many forces are to blame. For instance, technologies such as P2P file sharing have produced illegal downloading practices. These practices violate copyright laws and diminish the value of musical expression.
Perhaps more dangerous, however, is the force of ignorance. Young, educated people are choosing to disregard the rights of songwriters and composers by listening to music for free from illegal sources. They are enjoying the hard work of music creators without providing fair compensation. By and large, these people are conscious that what they are doing is illegal. Yet the harmful trend continues.
With all of this in mind, ASCAP has authored a Bill of Rights for Songwriters and Composers. Its purpose is to educate both music creators and music consumers about the entitlements that every author of music enjoys. As a young musician, you should read this Bill of Rights paying careful attention to each of its points. You should pass on the link to your friends who may be less inclined to listen to music legally. Finally, you should think about the importance of this document for the future of music - a future that can only flourish with young adults' adherence to the principles of copyright.
Read the Bill of Rights for Songwriters and Composers
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