Copyright in Music and Lyrics (AITB)

A basic run down of copyright as it relates predominantly to musicians and lyric writers. Copyright is a package of legal claims which artists own in relation to their artistic work. The Patent gives the artist rights to control how other people could use their creative work. The copyright owner can control as to who can copy their work and how it can be used. The patent owner can consent or deny consent to other people who choose to duplicate them. Copyright occurs instantaneously. One does not need to register to get patent. Music might be a composition for an orchestra, rap music or music for a conventional device. The other subject matter protected by copyright comprises soundtracks. It might be a sound tape of a live concert or one made in a recording studio . Patent or copyright only protects music and lyrics which if they have been written down or documented. It does not protect ideas or styles.  If a star wants to execute one’s songs or record them, they are using your copyright which require your consent. Then could give them a permit to execute or record your music. If you register your songs with APRA, it will help gather royalties from people who play your music. Copyright doesn’t usually safeguard conventional original music or lyrics. For example, copyright would not safeguard a song which had been handed down through many generations.

Copyright generally belongs to the person who composed the music or came up with the lyrics. Sometimes two or more people can own copyright together. For example, three band members might all have worked in partnership to create a song. A different person might write the lyrics .If you write music or lyrics as part of your job, your employer e.g. the business owner or government may own the copyright. This means they can perform and record it and earn royalties from it devoid of your permission. If you do not want your employer to own copyright, you must meet with them before you start creating. Together you can agree that you should own patent or how it can be shared with your employer. Usually, the person who makes the sound recording (the person who operates the recording equipment) and the performers will own the copyright in the sound recording together. That means that different people can own the copyright in the song and in the sound recording. If you pay someone to make a sound recording or pay musicians to perform for the purpose of making a sound recording, then they will not own any copyright in the sound footage. A musician can only sell or give away their copyright in a written document which they sign. If you want the copyright in a sound recording of your work made by someone else APRA/AMCOS manage a system of licences and collect money for musicians when their songs are used. For example, APRA/AMCOS collect licence fees when a musician’s songs are covered by another band or played on radio. Universities and schools are permitted to copy your work without asking you if it is to be used for an educational purpose but they must pay a fee. Those fees are collected and distributed to artists by collecting societies .Patent in music and lyrics generally lasts for the life of the artist plus another 70 years .Copyright in a sound recording lasts for 70 years from the end of the year when the soundtrack was first announced.

In Sri Lanka many musicians and lyric writers are not aware of the above. Kalindu Weerasinghe domiciled in Canberra attached as an IT consultant in a government department, in year 2020 in chat with musician Sangeeth Wijesuriya and Ranura Perera a vastly competent in IT expertise had seriously thought of this valued conception denied to all Sri Lankan lyricists and musicians. Kalindu had studied this concept for two years had fashioned CEYMUSIC institution as the CEO, based in Canberra with a subsidiary in Ceymusic publishing company headed by his younger brother Chirath Weerasinghe.The name Ceymusic institution  is famed already in You Tube, Social Media, Musical field who is endeavouring to bring redress to many musicians and lyricists some even deceased who had been totally neglected in terms of copyright music and lyrics.Ths was emphasised in contrary to those counterparts in foreign soils. Vocalists are not entitled for any payment as at the initial recording for e.g in year 1980 the producer would have paid the vocalist, lyricist, and the music composer the respective payment. But since the vocalist  would have received payments for singing to date numerous times in concerts but not the lyricist and the music composer. After Ceymusic was established the musician and lyricist too get paid through this system.  Kalindu has added that in the Ceymusic  institution there are around sixty artistes already registered some more are to be registered from WD Amaradeva,Victor Ratnayake,Sanath Nandasiri,Sarath de Alwis, Suni Ariyaratne,Nanda Malini from the more recent Shirley Wijantha,Namal Udugama also so many others junior artistes too. Kalindu emphasised that this exercise carried  involving all of them. Kalindu as the CEO stomachs to discharge his duties on behalf of all of them. Kalindu has registered his Ceymusic institution with Apra/ Amcos in Australia and in Sri Lanka obtaining a separate international identity card, establishing his authorship.

The Ceymusic Institution headed as the CEO Kalindu Weerasinghe and his able staff has already brought unexpected huge financial benefits to many lyricists and music composers in the recent years had hugely benefited many particularly during the covid epidemic era when they received unexpected revenue in connivance with Apra/Amcos in Australia and Sri Lanka. Son and daughter of legendary deceased lyricist Ajantha Ranasinghe had received monthly payments via this endeavour, in fact had been surprised, like many had profusely acknowledged showing gratitude. It is learnt that all recipients are informed via ‘SMS’s once the payment are lodged. The service rendered by Kalindu is impeccable should be hailed and appreciated to unprecedented tall elevations.

Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com, WhatsApp 006144533242