Derivative Work License covers the use of derivative works for which of the following?

Derivative Work License covers the use of derivative works for which of the following?

• A. The composition only
• B. The sound recording only
• C. The performance rights
• D. The composition or the sound recording

Answer: (D)

Derivative Work Licenses cover permission to create new works that are based on existing material. In music this can come from either the underlying musical composition (the sheet music, melody, harmony, and lyrics) or from the actual sound recording (the recorded master). If someone wants to make a remix, they’re working with the sound recording; if they want to create an arrangement of the song, they’re working with the composition. Since these are two separate copyrights with different rights holders, a derivative works license must address both pathways. It doesn’t deal with performance rights, which govern public performances of the work itself rather than new versions. So the license applies to the composition or the sound recording, not just one and not to performance rights.

Derivative Work Licenses cover permission to create new works that are based on existing material. In music this can come from either the underlying musical composition (the sheet music, melody, harmony, and lyrics) or from the actual sound recording (the recorded master). If someone wants to make a remix, they’re working with the sound recording; if they want to create an arrangement of the song, they’re working with the composition. Since these are two separate copyrights with different rights holders, a derivative works license must address both pathways. It doesn’t deal with performance rights, which govern public performances of the work itself rather than new versions. So the license applies to the composition or the sound recording, not just one and not to performance rights.