A new creative version of an existing musical work that changes material elements such as lyrics, language, melody, harmony, structure or musical treatment. If the original work is protected, permission from the relevant rightsholders is required.

A new recording of an existing musical work that substantially preserves its composition and lyrics. It creates a new master, not a new musical work. Material creative changes may make the new version an adaptation.

The underlying musical composition and, where applicable, its lyrics. It exists independently from any particular performance or recording.

A particular recorded performance of a musical work. The same musical work may have many different sound recordings.

The protection automatically given to an original creative work. It includes economic rights and the creator's moral rights.

Rights connected with performances, sound recordings and certain other contributions to music. They may belong to performers, musicians, singers, record producers and broadcasting organisations.

A person or company that represents musical works under an agreement with creators, publishers or other rightsholders and provides services including development, administration, promotion, licensing and international representation.

A written contract defining the relationship between a creator or rightsholder and a music publisher, the works and rights covered, duration, territory, services and division of income.

The established industry term for rights connected with the reproduction of a musical work, including physical products, downloads and certain digital uses such as streaming.

The established industry term for rights involved when a musical work is performed or communicated to the public, including concerts, radio, television, public places and certain digital uses.

Permission to combine a musical work with images in a film, television programme, advertisement, video game, online video or other audiovisual production. Using an existing recording normally also requires separate permission for the master.

An organisation authorised by creators, publishers and other rightsholders to manage specified rights collectively. A CMO may license uses, collect royalties and distribute income within the mandate granted to it.

Payments generated by licensed uses of musical works, recordings or performances, including public performance, reproduction, synchronisation, streaming, broadcasting, physical products and downloads.

The collection of musical works or recordings represented, controlled or administered by a creator, publisher, CMO, record company or other rightsholder.

An arrangement through which a music publisher appoints another publisher to represent and administer repertoire in a particular country or territory.

A professionally organised and managed catalogue of music created specifically for licensing across audiovisual productions, including advertising, film, television, online content, theatre and video games.

The information used to describe, identify and connect a musical work or recording with the correct creators and rightsholders, including titles, names, shares, publishers, territories and international identifiers.

International Standard Musical Work Code. The unique international identifier for a musical work. It does not identify a specific recording and does not by itself establish ownership or rights shares.

International Standard Recording Code. The unique international identifier for a particular sound recording or music video recording. It does not identify the underlying musical work.

Interested Party Information. An international identification system for creators, publishers and other parties connected with musical works.

Common Works Registration. A standard format used by publishers and CMOs to exchange musical work registration and rights information. It is not an identifier for a musical work.

A document listing all music used in an audiovisual production, including titles, creators, publishers, type of use, duration and timing. It supports identification and royalty processing, but is not itself a music licence.

The status of a work whose period of economic protection has expired. A newer arrangement, edition, performance or sound recording of that work may have its own separate protection.