GLOSSARY
Terms and definitions used in the music and entertainment industry, and related sectors
Using this Glossary
This glossary contains several different types of terms. Each term will have an identifier below it to help you quickly recognize what type it is, if it is more than one type, and how it is or should be used in music/music business contexts. Below are the four types of terms you'll find, their visual identifiers, and their descriptions:
- Legal - 🔑 lgl
- Legal terms are formally defined within and codified by U.S. law. Legal definitions supercede all others.
- Technical - 🔑 tch
- Technical terms are formally defined and standardized by industry sectors and the concensus of their governing bodies and/or decision makers.
- Jargon - 🔑 jrg
- The general definition of jargon is: "special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand1."
- Within this glossary, jargon will always mean music industry jargon. Since the music industry has numerous sectors, subsectors, and niches within niches, you will see an additional tag when helpful for context.
- Acronyms - 🔑 acr
- The general defenition of acronym is
It is important in every industry to know the functional role of the language used when communicating about it and within it, so that misunderstandings and miscommunications can be avoided, or addressed when they happen. This is *especially* true in the music industry, because:
- Common usage and practice can often conflict with legal definitions and requirements or technical definition and usage
- The variation and fluidity of jargon can catalyse mutual misunderstanding
- Any type of term can be a homonym terms can be homonymous
TERMS
A
Adaptation
1.
- 🔑 tch: An original modification or alteration of the lyrical content of a pre-existing work, regardless of whether the musical content has also been modified.
ASCAP
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers - A performing rights organization that collects and distributes royalties.
B
BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc. - A performing rights organization representing songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
Buyout
A one-time payment for unlimited use of music within specified parameters.
C
Cue Sheet
A document listing all music used in a production, including timing, usage type, and rights information.
Copyright 🔑 lgl
A bundle of exclusive rights which belong to and protect the owner of a copyrightable piece of intellectual property—an original work of authorship, fixed in a tangible medium.
D
Digital Rights
Rights for using music in digital formats and online platforms.
Duration
The length of time a license remains valid.
E
Exclusive Rights
Rights granted to a single party, preventing others from using the music in similar ways.
Extended Rights
Additional rights beyond standard license terms.
F
First Use
The first time a piece of music is synchronized with visual media.
Festival Rights
Rights to use music in film festival screenings.
L
License Agreement
Legal contract specifying terms and conditions for music use.
Limited License
License with restrictions on usage, territory, or duration.
M
Master Rights
Rights to use a specific recording of a musical work.
Mechanical Rights
Rights to reproduce and distribute copyrighted musical compositions.
N
Non-Exclusive Rights
Rights that can be granted to multiple parties simultaneously.
Needle Drop
Each individual use of a piece of music in a production.
P
Performance Rights
Rights to perform music publicly, including broadcast and streaming.
Perpetual License
License without time limitation.
R
Royalty
Payment made for the use of copyrighted music.
Re-Use Fee
Payment for using licensed music beyond original terms.
S
Sync License
Permission to synchronize music with visual media.
Source Music
Music that is part of the scene (e.g., from a radio or TV in the scene).
T
Territory
Geographic regions where licensed music can be used.
Term
Duration of the license agreement.
U
Usage Rights
Specific ways music can be used under a license.
Universal License
License covering all media types and territories.
W
Watermark
Digital marker in audio files for tracking and protection.
Work for Hire
Music created specifically for a project, with rights assigned to the commissioner.
Technical Terms
A
AAC 🔑ACR
Advanced Audio Coding: a digital audio compression format.
B
Bit Rate
Amount of data processed per second in digital audio.
F
File Format
Type of digital audio file (WAV, MP3, etc.).
M
Metadata
Information embedded in audio files about the content.
S
Sample Rate
Number of samples per second in digital audio.
W
WAV
Waveform Audio File Format - Uncompressed audio format.
Industry Terms
B
Backend
Revenue sharing arrangement based on production success.
C
Clearance
Process of obtaining necessary rights for music use.
M
Music Supervisor
Professional responsible for selecting and licensing music for productions.
P
PRO
Performing Rights Organization - Collects and distributes performance royalties.
Q
Quote 🔑 jrgn
Formal price estimate for music licensing.