FAQ Category: FAQs on Music Licensing

Yes, you can. Once a musical work is out of copyright, the composition itself is free for anyone to use, perform, or record without needing permission from the original composer’s estate or publisher.

However, keep in mind:

• Your new recording will have its own copyright (as a sound recording).
• Arrangements or adaptations of out-of-copyright works may still be protected if they involve creative changes — in this case, you would need permission from the arranger.
• Moral rights (like being properly credited) may still apply, depending on the work and jurisdiction.

👉 In short: you can record it freely, but check whether you’re using a straight version of the original (safe) or a recent arrangement/edition (may still be protected).

The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society Ireland (MCPSI) is an organisation that represents thousands of composers and music publishers in Ireland. Through an agency agreement with MCPS in the UK and reciprocal agreements with similar organisations worldwide, MCPSI also represents the rights of many thousands of other music copyright owners internationally.

MCPSI:

• Licences companies and individuals who record musical works
• Collects and distributes royalties payable under those licences
• Supports a wide range of users including record companies, independent producers, online platforms, mobile services, and more
• Licences the importation of recordings from outside the EU

👉 In short: MCPSI makes it possible for anyone who records or imports music to do so legally, while ensuring that music creators are fairly rewarded.

Contact:

Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (Ireland) Ltd (MCPSI)
Copyright House
Pembroke Row
Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
Ireland

David Galligan
T: +353 1 644 8023
E: david.galligan@imro.ie

Synchronisation rights (or sync rights) are the rights to use a piece of music in combination with visual media, such as films, TV shows, advertisements, video games, or online videos.

Key points:

• They cover the use of the musical composition, not just the recording.
• You need a licence from the music copyright owner (usually the composer, songwriter, or publisher) to legally sync music with visuals.
• Sync rights are separate from performance rights or mechanical rights, which cover playing or reproducing the music.

👉 In short: if you want to pair music with images, you need synchronisation rights to do it legally.

Performing rights give music creators (composers, songwriters, and publishers) the right to be paid when their music is performed or played publicly. This includes live performances, radio broadcasts, TV, streaming, and even music played in shops, restaurants, or online platforms.

Key points:

• A licence is required for anyone or any business playing music publicly.
• Performing rights ensure that creators receive royalties whenever their music is used.

Organisations like IMRO manage these rights on behalf of creators, making it simple for businesses to stay legal.

👉 In short: performing rights let music creators get paid whenever their music is heard in public.

Mechanical royalties are payments made to composers, songwriters, and publishers when their music is reproduced or copied. This includes physical copies (like CDs or vinyl), digital downloads, and streams.

Key points:

• Mechanical royalties cover the composition of the music, not the recording itself.
• They are collected by organisations like MCPSI on behalf of music creators.

Anyone who reproduces or distributes music, whether digitally or physically, needs a mechanical licence.

👉 In short: mechanical royalties ensure that music creators are paid whenever their compositions are copied or reproduced.

Sound recordings (also called master recordings) are the actual recorded performances of a song, as opposed to the underlying composition. Master rights are the rights to control and be paid for the use of these recordings.

Key points:

• The recording owner (often the record label or the performer) holds the master rights.
• Anyone who wants to use the recording—for example in films, TV, advertisements, or streaming—needs a licence from the rights holder.

Master rights are separate from composition rights, which belong to the songwriter or composer.

👉 In short: master rights let the owner of a specific recording control and earn from its use.

Yes, but only with the proper licences. Recording or releasing another artist’s song involves both the composition rights (songwriter/composer) and, if using an existing recording, the master rights (performer/record label).

Key points:

• To record your own version of a song, you need a mechanical licence for the composition.
• If you want to use an existing recording, you must also obtain a master rights licence from the owner.
• Organisations like MCPSI can help secure licences for reproducing songs legally.

👉 In short: you cannot legally release someone else’s song without permission, but licences make it possible to do so correctly.