Music Publishing and Copyright Law

Tres Williams

Authored by Tres Williams

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Course Code: OMBUS-520

In this music supervision graduate course, you will examine the legal and business foundations of music publishing, copyright, and licensing for film, television, games, and digital media. Through real-world case studies and rights analysis, you will learn to navigate ownership, royalties, agreements, clearances, and emerging technologies.

Level 5
Graduate
Modality
Online
Duration
12 Weeks
3-Credit Tuition
$2,874
Semester Starts
Enroll by July 9 Sept 28
(June semester enrollment extended!)
Accreditation
NECHE

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Trace the chain of rights behind a piece of music to determine how it can be licensed, cleared, and exploited across media
  • Evaluate legal, creative, and business considerations when securing music for film, television, games, and digital platforms
  • Analyze publishing, recording, and licensing agreements to understand ownership, control, and revenue flows among stakeholders
  • Navigate emerging copyright and licensing challenges involving AI, streaming, global rights administration, and evolving media technologies
Overview Syllabus Requirements Instructors Related Music Career Roles

Enrollment for this course will open soon.

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Course Description

This course will open for January 2027 enrollment in October 2026.

This course examines the legal and business frameworks that govern music licensing and copyright law from a music supervision perspective. You will learn the principles of music ownership, licensing, and exploitation, focusing on how these concepts apply to film, television, video games, and digital media. In this course, you'll explore key topics such as contracts, royalty structures, fair use, sampling, and emerging media while also addressing the impact of AI and streaming technologies on music rights. Through case studies, you will analyze real-world legal scenarios, gaining the skills to navigate complex copyright issues in music supervision. Upon completion, you will understand how to legally and ethically secure music for media projects.

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By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Analyze US and international copyright frameworks and explain how they govern music licensing and supervision
  • Interpret and compare music publishing, licensing, assignment, and work-for-hire (WFH) agreements to determine rights ownership and obligations
  • Evaluate fair use, public domain status, and royalty structures to ensure ethical and legal compliance in music use
  • Assess the effects of emerging technologies, including AI, streaming platforms, and digital media, on copyright protection and music rights management
  • Apply relevant legal frameworks to negotiate, clear, and document music rights for film, television, games, and online media
  • Navigate dispute resolution processes and manage metadata, registrations, and third-party administration to support accurate licensing and royalty distribution
Read Less

Syllabus

Lesson 1: Copyright Overview and Music Copyright

  • Copyright History
  • Copyright Basics
  • International Copyright Treaties
  • Music Copyright
  • Assignment 1: Foundational Copyright Analysis Memo

Lesson 2: The Copyright Bundle of Exclusive Rights

  • The Exclusive Rights of Copyright Owners
  • Reproduction Rights
  • Public Performance Rights and Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
  • Exceptions to Exclusive Rights
  • Assignment 2: Exclusive Rights Issue-Spotting Exercise

Lesson 3: Copyright Duration, Transfers, and Enforcement

  • Duration of Copyright
  • Transfers and Termination
  • Copyright Registration and Enforcement
  • Assignment 3: Case Brief and Strategic Implications Analysis

Lesson 4: Musical Composition Copyright

  • Musical Composition Copyright Creation
  • Music Publishing Basics
  • Joint Works
  • Assignment 4: Composition Ownership and Split Verification Memo

Lesson 5: Sound Recording Copyright

  • Sound Recording Copyright Creation
  • Record Labels and Distributors Basics
  • Artist and Producer Agreements
  • Assignment 5: Recording Agreement Clause Analysis

Lesson 6: Copyright Administration Agencies

  • Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
  • Statutory License Administrators
  • Societies outside of the US
  • Assignment 6: Comparative Rights Administration Analysis

Lesson 7: Film and TV Licensing Basics

  • Licenses Required for Use of Music in Other Video or Audio Works
  • Music Clearance Basics
  • Stakeholders in Music Licensing
  • Assignment 7: Film/TV Music Clearance Memorandum

Lesson 8: Public Domain, Fair Use, and Other Copyright Exceptions

  • The Public Domain
  • The Fair Use Doctrine
  • Assignment 8: Public Domain Advisory Memo

Lesson 9: Music Publishing Agreements and Royalty Structures

  • Deep Dive into Publishing Deals
  • Royalty Flow, Collection Societies / Other Intermediaries and Cue Sheets
  • Assignment 9: Royalty Flow and Leakage Analysis

Lesson 10: Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

  • AI and Authorship
  • NIL Rights and the 'Right of Publicity'
  • Other Emerging Technologies
  • Assignment 10: Emerging Technology Rights Clearance Plan

Lesson 11: Dispute Resolution for Copyright

  • The Prima Facie Case for Infringement
  • Federal Litigation vs. The Copyright Claims Board
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution, Settlements, and Takedown Counter-Notices
  • Assignment 11: Dispute Strategy Memorandum

Lesson 12: Advanced Topics in Music Licensing

  • Grand Rights vs. Small Rights
  • The US Movie Theater Licensing Exception
  • Music as an Asset Class—The Catalog Acquisition Market

Requirements

Proof of a Bachelor's Degree

Proof of a bachelor's degree is required to enroll in this non-degree, graduate-level course.
Ready to submit an unofficial copy of your transcript?


Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements 

Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
Completion of From Script to Screen: Storytelling through Music and Musical Genres, Song Sourcing, and Music Production or equivalent knowledge and experience is required.

Students should be able to:

  • Understand the historical development and evolving role of music supervision in visual media
  • Identify core music supervision roles and responsibilities, including music clearance and licensing 
  • Be aware of the practical considerations of copyright and the music licensing process
  • Design music sourcing and commissioning strategies to optimize music licensing workflows
  • Use basic word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software

Textbook(s)

Media and Subscriptions

  • Recommended: Billboard Pro subscription (Print not required)

Software

Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact support@online.berklee.edu with any questions.

General Course Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course. 

Mac Users

  • macOS Monterey 12.0 or later

PC Users

All Users

  • Latest version of Google Chrome
  • Zoom meeting software
  • Webcam
  • Speakers or headphones
  • External or internal microphone
  • Broadband Internet connection

Instructors

Tres Williams
Tres Williams

Author & Instructor

Tres Williams is a senior entertainment, music, and media attorney with more than 25 years of experience. His career spans roles at Sony BMG, eMusic, Thumbplay, and iHeartMedia, where he led business affairs and helped launch and license some of the earliest music streaming services. In 2021, he founded The Rights, Inc., a music licensing technology company that was later acquired by Soundstripe in 2024. Today he runs his solo practice, Tres Williams P.C., serving artists, creators, managers, and rightsholders. Tres holds a JD from Brooklyn Law School and BS and BM degrees from Appalachian State University.

What's Next?

When taken for credit, Music Publishing and Copyright Law can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:

Related Certificate Programs

Related Degree Major

Related Music Career Roles

Employers look for skills learned in this course, when hiring for the following music career roles:

Arts and Entertainment Accountant

Business Manager (Music or Theater Group)

Business Manager (Personal)

Creative Entrepreneur

Digital Content Producer

DJ/Remixer (Studio or Performing)

Entertainment Attorney

General Business Musician (Freelance Musician)

Licensing Representative

Music Coordinator

Music Publisher

Music Supervisor (Film, TV, Video Games)

Royalty Coordinator
See All  

Questions?

Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at advisors@online.berklee.edu.

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