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Copyright Law
Current copyright law is based upon the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 which gives a property right to the creators of original literary, dramatic, artistic or musical works, effectively making the work a physical property which can be bought, sold, hired or licensed just like any other product.
Once an original work is set down in written form, or recorded as audio, it is "in copyright" and will  remain so throughout the lifetime of the composer and for a further 70 years after their death. Copyright also exists in a sound recording for 50 years after the original production. The owners of copyright have exclusive rights regarding certain restricted acts, enshrined within the Copyright Designs & Patents Act, which only they may do or give permission for others to do. For the purpose of telephone music-on-hold these are to make copies of or to perform in public the musical works or sound recordings.
Royalty Collection
This means that copyright owners have the right to say how and by whom their  copyright musical works and sound recordings may be used. As most copyright holders make their living through the commercial use of their works they are keen to ensure that they are made available to those who want to use them, mainly through authorised licensing and royalty collection agencies.
To find out more about how music copyright law affects your business telephone systems contact Telecom Audio today. As a Licensed Music Service Provider we can provide full copyright cover for your organisation through a subscription to the MUSICLINE services which include payments to all four music copyright collection agencies.
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