Which statement about copyright terms is true?

Which statement about copyright terms is true?

• A. The owner of the master sound recording controls all rights to the composition.
• B. The songwriter controls only the performance rights.
• C. The underlying composition rights are separate from the master recording rights, requiring licenses for each.
• D. There is a single license that covers both master recording and composition.

Answer: (C)

The essential point is that music rights are divided into two separate kinds: the sound recording (the master) and the underlying musical composition. The master rights are typically owned by the record label or the artist who made the recording, while the composition rights belong to the songwriter and their publisher. Because these rights are distinct, using a recording usually requires two licenses—one for the master recording and another for the underlying composition—depending on how the music is being used. That is why the statement about the composition rights being separate from the master recording rights and requiring licenses for each is true. The other ideas don’t fit because the master owner does not automatically control the composition rights, and songwriters don’t own only performance rights; they own the broader copyright in the musical work (including reproduction and translation of the work, via licensing to others). Also, there isn’t typically a single license that automatically covers both master and composition rights in all contexts.

The essential point is that music rights are divided into two separate kinds: the sound recording (the master) and the underlying musical composition. The master rights are typically owned by the record label or the artist who made the recording, while the composition rights belong to the songwriter and their publisher. Because these rights are distinct, using a recording usually requires two licenses—one for the master recording and another for the underlying composition—depending on how the music is being used. That is why the statement about the composition rights being separate from the master recording rights and requiring licenses for each is true.

The other ideas don’t fit because the master owner does not automatically control the composition rights, and songwriters don’t own only performance rights; they own the broader copyright in the musical work (including reproduction and translation of the work, via licensing to others). Also, there isn’t typically a single license that automatically covers both master and composition rights in all contexts.