MPA serves as a forum for publishers to deal with the music industry's vital issues. It is actively involved in supporting and advancing compliance with the copyright law, combating copyright infringement, and exploring the need for further reform. MPA keeps its members informed of the latest technology and production sophistication in graphics, engraving, computerization, and printing. The organization also studies the thrust and trends in economics and business as these influence the industry as well as informs its constituents of new laws, decisions, and regulations affecting publishers. Lastly, MPA fosters relations among the publishing industry and schools, dealers, performers, and composers.
When a copyrighted work goes out of print and becomes generally unavailable to the public, the fact that it is "out of print" does not imply that it may be reproduced in any manner without first receiving permission from the copyright owner. As long as the work is under copyright, permission to reproduce the work must always be obtained.
The name of the publisher is usually included on the cover of the piece or on the copyright notice of the piece. If the publisher cannot be located with that information, refer to the music publishers Sales Agency List to locate the administrative company for the publisher of which you are searching. If the company is not listed anywhere on the Sales Agency List, check with ASCAP or BMI via the Internet (or you may phone if you are a member.)
Works created after January 1, 1978 will be protected for the life of the composer (author) plus 70 years. Copyrights in effect on that date, if renewed, will continue for 75 years from the date copyright was originally secured. Those works in their initial 28-year period of copyright on January 1, 1978 can be renewed for an additional 47 years, while the copyright of works in their renewal term on that date were automatically extended for an additional 19 years.
The Copyright Act provides that copyright protection begins at the moment the work is created. Registration with the Copyright Office is not required in order for a work to be protected under US copyright law. The copyright must generally be registered with the Copyright Office in Washington, DC before the copyright owner can sue an infringer (from AAP, NACS, and SPA brochure entitled Q & A on Copyright for the Campus Community).
If an arrangement is made of a copyrighted work without the authorization of the copyright owner, the arrangement would be an unauthorized derivative work and therefore an infringement of the copyright and the exclusive right of the copyright owner. The first thing to do when you want to make an arrangement is check if the work is in the public domain or if it is protected by copyright. If the work is protected by copyright, you cannot make an arangement without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Each week publishers can receive a substancial number of manuscripts, which they register and acknowledge. This is a time-consuming responsibility, but one which publishers take very seriously. Remember, do not send the original manuscript without first making a copy. Also, it is a good idea to let the publisher know if you are submitting your work to other publishers. Your manuscript is then circulated among a New Publications Review Committee. It is normal for the whole process to take three to nine months.
Permission from the copyright holder must be granted prior to use. Contact the publisher to first find the copyright holder.
Choose your representative carefully using the MPA members' listing as the first companies with which to propose your situation.
It is expressly prohibited to make copies of recordings of a copyrighted work (even it it's for home practice) without permission of the copyright owner of both the musical composition and the recording. Please ask...publishers may be willing to work with you on licensing fees.
This too requires the permission of the copyright owners of the musical composition. Again, please ask...publishers will consider all the facts of such requests in making these licensing decisions.
While collections may be "more expensive than what I wanted to spend" and "I only want to use one piece from the collection, I'll never use any other", they are made for a purpose; whether it be a musical, a cantata, a genre collection, or a contractual stipulation. Whatever the case, the collection must be purchased in its entirety. Some publishers may license use of individual pieces, however, situations vary greatly. Please contact the individual copyright owner for specific licensing possibilities.