Online Music Distribution: A Manual for Creators and Performers
Matěj Myška, Ondřej Woznica
The manual is primarily intended for independent artists who are not (yet) represented by a publisher or record label, particularly music creators—composers and lyricists—and performing artists who wish to use online music services to make their work accessible, increase its visibility, and monetize it. The manual does not provide step-by-step guidance for specific music services (although individual services are occasionally used to illustrate discussed topics); rather, it explains the fundamental principles of handling protected works. By understanding these legal foundations, readers can gain a basic understanding of copyright operations on virtually any music service and thereby comprehend the requirements these services impose in this area. The first part of the manual provides a general overview of Czech copyright law in broad context. The second part outlines, in key points, the legal aspects of online distribution, presentation, and monetization of protected music works. The overall purpose is to present, in a way accessible to non-specialists, the basic legal questions that must be addressed when distributing, presenting, and monetizing musical works online on the relevant platforms.
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Cirg - about
CIRG – the Cultural Industries Research Group focuses on research into cultural and media industries, particularly on current issues, challenges, and conflicts arising from tensions between intellectual property law, the business models of cultural industries, the digitalization and platformization of cultural sectors, and changing consumer habits. The group’s name is an acronym of its English title, Cultural Industries Research Group. CIRG is an informal association of experts from media studies, intellectual property law, media law, media ethics, cultural economics and cultural management, sociology of culture, and data analysis. The group operates on the basis of project-based funding through applied research projects (TAČR, NAKI, EEA and Norway Grants, OP JAK Intersectoral Cooperation), basic research projects (GAČR, ZIF Bielefeld, OP VVV Excellent Research, DFG), as well as contract research (State Cinematography Fund, Association of Audiovisual Producers).
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Take Part in Research on the Social Situation of Retired Artists
We have prepared a questionnaire aimed at mapping the social situation of artists of retirement age. Are you a creator or a performing artist aged 60 or over? Help us improve the situation of senior artists by completing a short questionnaire.
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We have prepared a questionnaire that explores artists’ views on how current copyright regulations affect their creative work. Are you a creator or performing artist? Help us with our research by completing a short questionnaire!
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Authors and artists, we have prepared a questionnaire mapping the working conditions of artists. The results will be used, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, to develop proposals for improving the social and economic situation of artists. Help yourself and others by taking part in the research!
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