Protect your company’s music and jingles using a music copyright notice
Music is a powerful tool for businesses and marketers. It sets the tone for advertisements, enhances and cements brand identity, and creates memorable customer experiences.
But behind every tune or jingle is the hard work of a creator or team, which means it is essential to protect these assets. Understanding music copyright helps businesses avoid legal pitfalls and helps creators receive their rightful recognition and compensation.
So, let’s talk about how music copyright works and how you can leverage it to protect and responsibly showcase your music.
What is music copyright?
Music copyright is a legal protection for original musical works. It grants creators exclusive rights to their compositions. This means they control how their music is used, and benefit financially from their own creations. This protection applies to various musical elements, including melody, lyrics, and even arrangements.
Music copyright provides several key protections. For instance, it allows creators to:
- Reproduce their work
- Distribute copies
- Perform their music publicly
- Create derivative works, such as remixes or adaptations
- Display their work, if applicable
While it’s not mandatory to use a copyright notice, it can further solidify your claim as the rightful owner. Including a simple notice like “© [Your Name/Entity], [Year]” sends a clear message to potential users that you own the music and that there are protections in place.
These protections are vital for businesses and marketers who rely on original music to enhance their brand identity.
Understanding music copyright laws
Music copyright laws vary depending on jurisdiction. Businesses and marketers that operate in multiple regions need to understand the legal landscape in key markets like the EU and the US.
In the US, copyright laws for music are governed by the Copyright Act of 1976. According to the act, legal protection begins automatically when an original work is fixed in a tangible form, such as in a recording or sheet music. While registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is not required, it does offer significant advantages. These include the ability to sue for statutory damages and attorney fees in case of infringement.
In the EU, music copyright laws are codified through directives like the Copyright Directive and the Collective Rights Management Directive. These directives apply copyright protection uniformly across member states. In addition to granting creators control over the reproduction, distribution, and public performance of their works, EU laws also recognize moral rights, which protect the creator’s reputation and aim for proper attribution.
To help clarify the differences between the legal landscapes in the EU and the US, here’s a comparison of music copyright laws in these distinct regions.
omparison of music copyright laws in these distinct regions.
Aspect | US Copyright Laws | EU Copyright Laws |
Legal basis | Copyright Act of 1976 | Copyright Directive, Collective Rights Management Directive |
Automatic protection | Yes, when fixed in a tangible form | Yes, upon creation |
Duration | Life of creator + 70 years; 95/120 years for corporations | Life of creator + 70 years |
Registration required? | No, but recommended for legal advantages | No, voluntary registration possible |
Special features | Statutory damages, attorney fees for registered works | Moral rights (e.g., attribution, protection of reputation) |
International agreements, such as the Berne Convention, further facilitate music copyright protection across borders. These agreements enable businesses to protect their music in multiple countries without separate registrations.
Who should use a music copyright?
Music copyright is relevant to anyone who creates, uses, or distributes music. This includes professional composers, independent artists, and businesses that incorporate music into their branding or marketing strategies. Ownership typically belongs to the creator, but exceptions exist, such as work-for-hire agreements in which the employer retains ownership.
For businesses, music copyright means that your jingles, theme songs, and other original compositions remain exclusive to your brand.
It’s also worth noting that in many jurisdictions, music copyright protection lasts for the creator’s lifetime plus an additional 70 years. For corporate-owned works, the duration is often 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation.
When to use a music copyright notice?
While copyright protection is automatic upon creation, using a music copyright notice can still be beneficial. A music copyright notice is particularly important in the following situations:
- When distributing music publicly on websites, social media, or streaming platforms
- When licensing music for advertisements or commercial projects
- When publishing lyrics or sheet music online
Including a music copyright notice communicates your ownership to listeners, collaborators, and potential users. It’s a proactive step that reinforces your company’s legal rights and discourages unauthorized use.
How to protect your music
Protecting your music requires a combination of registering it with the correct office and taking other proactive measures. Here’s how you can protect your original compositions and copyright your music online.
Copyright your music
Registering your music copyright establishes legal proof of ownership and strengthens your ability to take action against infringement. Here’s how to copyright your music:
- Fix your work in a tangible form: Record your music or transcribe it into sheet music. This step establishes your creation as a protectable asset.
- Gather your materials: Compile all necessary information, including the title, creator details, date of creation, and co-authorship information if applicable.
- Register with the appropriate office:
- In the US: Visit the U.S. Copyright Office’s website. Complete the online application, upload a digital copy of your music, and pay the required fee.
- In the EU: Although copyright is automatic, voluntary registration with national copyright offices or private registries provides added documentation.
- Receive your certificate: Once processed, you’ll receive a copyright registration certificate as proof of ownership.
- Verify your ownership: Use copyright music checkers to verify existing registrations and avoid potential conflicts. Platforms like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS for Music can assist businesses in licensing and managing their music rights.
- License your music: Use a platform like Songtrust or CD Baby to manage licensing and royalties.
Create a music copyright notice
A clear copyright notice strengthens your claim and helps to deter misuse. Follow these steps to craft an effective music copyright notice:
- Include the copyright symbol (©): Alternatively, use the word “copyright” or “Copr.”
- State the copyright owner: Specify your full name, company name, or entity name.
- Add the year of creation or publication: This establishes the date of ownership and helps track the copyright’s duration.
- Indicate rights reserved: For example, the phrase “All rights reserved” communicates that you retain control over the work’s usage.
- Add specific usage terms (optional): For instance, add the phrase “Unauthorized reproduction or distribution prohibited.”
Example: © ABC Marketing Agency, 2025. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
- Display the notice prominently: Include it on websites, within digital files, and on physical items like album covers or promotional materials.
- Update regularly: Make sure your copyright notice reflects any updates, such as new ownership or additional rights.
Music copyright examples
Music copyright protects creators’ and companies’ rights and preserves the integrity of original works. It helps to ensure that melodies, lyrics, and compositions are not only recognized as valuable assets but also safeguarded against misuse.
One famous music copyright example involves McDonald’s iconic “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle. The five-note melody, composed by Pharrell Williams in 2003 and performed by Justin Timberlake, is more than just a catchy tune. Registered with the U.S. Copyright Office as “I’m Lovin’ It (Justin Timberlake)” under registration number PA0001159085, it is a powerful marketing tool. The music copyright grants McDonald’s exclusive rights, which means the jingle can’t be exploited by competitors and maintains its role as a key part of the brand’s identity.
But when these rights are ignored, the consequences can be severe. Consider the 2015 case involving Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and Marvin Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up.” A jury found that “Blurred Lines” infringed on Gaye’s copyright (RE0000931783), resulting in a judgement of USD 5.3 million against Thicke and his collaborators. This case demonstrates how music copyright law not only protects original creations but also enforces accountability when boundaries are crossed.
Together, these music copyright examples show the dual power of copyright: enabling businesses to protect their assets and ensuring artists’ work is respected.
Where to display my music copyright notice?
Displaying your copyright notice strategically means choosing a location that is visible to anyone accessing your music. Here are some common places:
- Album covers: Printed materials like CD inserts or vinyl sleeves.
- Streaming platforms: Within the metadata or description of your tracks.
- Websites: On pages where your music is available for download or streaming.
- Social media: In captions or descriptions accompanying your posts.
- Sheet music: Printed copies of your compositions.
The goal is to make your copyright notice easy to find, leaving no doubt about your ownership.
Protect your company’s musical assets and jingles using a music copyright notice
Music copyright is a critical tool for protecting your brand’s identity and creative assets. When businesses understand copyright laws, register their works, and use effective notices, they can confidently use music to enhance campaigns while respecting the rights of creators.