MUSIC PUBLISHING
GLOSSARY

Compulsory License

An exception to U.S. copyright law that grants permission to anyone wishing to use a songwriter's work - whether or not the songwriter wants to grant the license - if the song has already been commercially released. Compulsory licenses must be issued for physical reproductions of a song (such as an LP, CD, or digital download), streaming a song, for use in cable television rebroadcast, on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), or in jukeboxes. 

Related Terms:

• License
• Composition
• Sound Recording
• Music Publishing

Related Articles:

• What is a compulsory license?

Related Resources:

• Top 12 Music Publishing Tips

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