Music Copyright - by Casey Rae (Hardcover)

About the Book

In easy-to-read language, Music Copyright takes readers step-by-step through the world of music copyright, giving the practical tools to navigate this complex system. Casey Rae demystifies laws, business practices, and trends and empowers music creators, music managers, techno...

Book Synopsis

In easy-to-read language, Music Copyright takes readers step-by-step through the world of music copyright, giving the practical tools to navigate this complex system. Casey Rae demystifies laws, business practices, and trends and empowers music creators, music managers, technology entrepreneurs to make informed decisions around copyright.

Review Quotes

A comprehensive, practical and eminently readable resource for anyone wanting to fully understand the complexities of copyright law in modern times-- it's exactly what it claims to be: an essential guide for the digital age.

Casey Rae's Music Copyright is a must-have reference for any musician or music teacher and anyone who engages with music, e.g., skaters who use music in performance or competition. Rae's experience as an author, a professor, a musician, and especially a music business professional and licensing specialist qualifies him to offer advice in the ever-developing world of copyright. The book's layout is outstanding and well served by an extraordinarily detailed table of contents. An appendix lists industry and music creator organizations; performing rights and mechanical royalty collectives; and legislative, regulatory, and rate-setting bodies. Rae, who has taught widely and is currently director of music licensing for SiriusXM, provides practical advice about the laws for digital music, public performance, recordings, fair use, registration, licensing, publishing, podcasts and music collections, and--of utmost importance--reform and barriers to change. The book will certainly help musicians keep up-to-date on the ever-changing social media used in all walks of life. Highly recommended. All readership levels.

For years I've bugged Casey with questions related to copyright. After reading his wonderfully informative book, I'm now a Certified Copyright Ninja(TM) like him!

Ray set out with the daunting task of bringing awareness to copyright issues and educating those in the music industry about how copyright interacts with the modern world. At times, it is impossible to avoid the complexities and the confusion that may arise, but Ray successfully lays the groundwork for a better understanding of these issues. A second read-through may be beneficial, as there is simply such a large quantity of information that could be overwhelming for readers who are novices to the logistics of copyright. Even if readers are not members of the music industry, there is still much to be gleaned from this book. Something relevant to everyone exists between these pages, whether the reader is seasoned in copyright laws and licenses or just starting their journey in comprehending how copyright laws operate in society today.

This is a highly readable text that provides an excellent, state-of-the-art foundation for musicians or aspiring professionals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of music copyright. I'm not aware of a more accessible, thorough, and timely resource.

About the Author

Casey Rae is an author, professor, musician, and music business executive. As director of music licensing for SiriusXM, he oversees the direct licensing of sound recordings across the company's services. Previously, Rae served as the CEO of the Future of Music Coalition. He has taught music industry courses at Georgetown University and Berklee College of Music and has testified before the United States Congress on copyright matters.