Work

A Work in the music industry refers to a created piece of music, including compositions and songs.

In the music industry, a Work is the underlying musical composition — the intellectual property consisting of melody, harmony, lyrics, and arrangement. It is distinct from a Master Recording, which is the specific recorded performance of that Work.

• A Work is created when a song is written and is identified by an ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code).
• A Master Recording is created when that song is recorded and is identified by an ISRC (International Standard Recording Code).

A single Work can have unlimited recordings (originals, covers, live versions, remixes). Each recording:

• Has its own ISRC
• Generates master-side royalties (typically paid to labels and recording owners)

The underlying Work generates composition-side royalties whenever it is:

• Performed (live, radio, TV, streaming)
• Broadcast
• Mechanically reproduced (CD, vinyl, downloads, certain streams)

These composition royalties are tied to the Work itself, not to any specific recording.

Copyright & Ownership of the Work

• Copyright in a Work usually belongs to the writer(s) from the moment of creation.
• Duration is typically life of the author + 70 years (in many jurisdictions).
• Works can be co-owned by multiple writers with agreed splits.
• Publishers administer Works: they register them, license them, and collect royalties on behalf of the writers.
• Under work-for-hire agreements, the commissioning party may own the copyright in the Work instead of the writer.

Royalty Types for the Work

• Performance royalties (for public performance or communication to the public):
• Generated by radio, TV, live venues, streaming, etc.
• Collected and paid out by PROs (Performance Rights Organizations).
• Mechanical royalties (for reproductions of the Work):
• Generated by CDs, vinyl, downloads, and certain digital uses.
• Collected by mechanical licensing agencies (e.g., Harry Fox Agency (HFA) in the U.S.) or via a Music Licensing Collective (MLC).

These flows are all tied to the Work, regardless of which recording is used.

melabel Context

melabel’s distribution workflow focuses on the Master Recording side (ISRC, distribution, master royalties). However, artists who write their own songs must also:

• Register their Works with a PRO (and, where relevant, with an MLC or mechanical agency)
• Ensure splits and publishing arrangements are correctly documented

Doing so ensures they capture both sides of their income:

• Master-side royalties (for recordings, via distribution)
• Composition-side royalties (for Works, via PROs and mechanical agencies)