This course provides an overview of music licensing and related copyright issues, including: (1) The parties comprising the “music” licensing eco-system: songwriters, music publishers, performers (featured and non-featured), engineers, producers, record labels, collecting rights societies (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Global Music Rights and SoundExchange), music streaming services (Spotify, Tidal, Apple, Pandora etc.), download services (iTunes), upload sites (YouTube), and consumers (UGC, fan sites etc.); (2) An examination of the exclusive rights of copyright – “works” versus “sound recordings” – plus the licensing structure of negotiated licenses versus “statutory licenses” (17 U.S.C. § 106 (works); for sound recordings §§ 106(6), 112, 114 and 115), and, an analysis of public performance issues; (3) Basics of licensing and payment schemes, including changes resulting from the 2018 Music Modernization Act; (4) Miscellaneous issues: collecting societies and consent decrees (and DoJ review), direct licensing, international issues, and case law.

Policies and Processes

Refunds:

The following is the refund policy for courses registered through our Professional and Lifelong Learning Portal (https://american.catalog.instructure.com/).

Learners will be eligible for a refund (minus any non-refundable fees) if they drop a course and request a refund no later than a week before the start of the course. If a learner registered for a course after the start date, they will be ineligible for a refund.

Learners registered for on-demand courses without a start date will be eligible for a refund if the course is dropped and a refund is requested within 24 hours of registration and when there is no record of page views or participation in the Canvas Platform.

Refund requests will be denied if requested after a course’s start date, or when there is a record of page views or participation in the canvas Platform.

Payments and fees:

For payments with credit cards, debit cards or bank accounts, the tuition cost includes a non-refundable 4% administrative fee. In case an eligible refund is requested, the net funds returned will be the tuition minus 4%. 

Notice about AU Non-Credit Courses:

Non-credit courses are not recorded in American University transcripts. No credit is earned from these courses and grades are not posted. Learners enrolled in Non-Credit courses will not receive an AU ID or have access to services and or facilities reserved for AU students. Access to the AU library system will be available to all members of the greater Washington DC area through visitor services. See the link for more information https://www.american.edu/library/services/visitors.cfm