Copyright in the Music Industry: A Practical Guide to Exploiting and Enforcing Rights 2nd ed

Hayleigh Bosher (Author)

ISBN: 9781035330386

Published: June 2026

Format: Paperback

Language: English

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited

Description

This second edition expands on and updates this unique guide to the function, application and management of copyright within the music industry. All chapters have been revised to incorporate the latest developments in technology, research, case law and policy in music copyright. Hayleigh Bosher presents relevant real world examples with practical, step-by-step guidance for stakeholders of all types, and signposts the future of copyright in the music industry through an examination of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.

Key Features

• Written in an engaging, approachable style that IP counsel can use directly when briefing non-lawyer clients (artists, managers, labels) on copyright fundamentals.
• New chapters on music streaming, AI and the EU Digital Single Market Copyright Directive, used by practitioners advising on cross-border licensing and platform disputes.
• Evaluates recent copyright infringement cases, including those involving Rudimental's 'Waiting All Night' and Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You', giving litigators concrete precedent to cite on substantial similarity and access.

Coverage

• Part I: Music and Copyright — why copyright matters, what it gives and does not give you
• Part II: Managing Music Copyright — ownership, roles and relationships, contracts, licensing, social media
• Part III: Infringement — what constitutes infringement, copying cases, inspiration vs infringement, sampling, counterfeit goods
• Part IV: Enforcement — starting a claim, forums, evidence and musicology reports, remedies, online action
• Part V: Current and Recent Developments — UK Music Streaming Inquiry, EU DSM Directive, AI authorship and infringement, deepfakes and personality rights, blockchain and NFTs

About the Author

Hayleigh Bosher is a copyright law specialist and academic whose work focuses on the intersection of copyright, technology and the music industry. She writes for practitioners, rights holders and students seeking a practical, up-to-date guide to music copyright law and its enforcement.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the second edition. Part I: Music and Copyright — 1. Why Copyright Matters in Music. 2. What is Copyright? 3. Copyright in a Song. 4. What Copyright Gives You. 5. What Copyright Does Not Give You. Part II: Managing Music Copyright — 6. Who Owns the Copyright? 7. Roles and Relationships. 8. Contracts. 9. Licensing. 10. Social Media. Part III: Infringement — 11. What is Copyright Infringement? 12. Who Copied My Song? 13. More Music Copying Cases. 14. Inspiration or Infringement. 15. Sampling. 16. Counterfeit Goods. Part IV: Enforcement — 17. Starting a Copyright Infringement Claim. 18. Where to Make a Claim. 19. Evidence and Musicology Reports. 20. Remedies. 21. How to Take Online Action. Part V: Current and Recent Developments — 22. The UK Music Streaming Inquiry. 23. EU Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive. 24. Artificial Intelligence and Music: Authorship and Ownership. 25. Artificial Intelligence: Infringement and Exceptions. 26. Deepfakes and Personality Rights. 27. Blockchain and NFTs in the Music Industry.

Why buy this book?

Music copyright disputes now routinely cross borders — streaming, sampling, AI-generated content and NFTs all raise the same questions in every jurisdiction. This second edition is the most current practical guide connecting UK and EU copyright doctrine to the real-world mechanics of the music business, making it essential for IP practitioners, rights holders and academic law libraries advising on international music rights.

Keywords

music copyright, copyright infringement, music industry law, sampling, licensing, AI and copyright, EU Digital Single Market Directive, entertainment law, intellectual property

Target Audience

Intellectual property lawyers, entertainment and media law practitioners, musicians and producers, rights holders, academic law libraries

Genre

Copyright Law, Media and Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property Law

Q&A

What does Copyright in the Music Industry cover?
It covers the full lifecycle of music copyright: ownership, contracts, licensing, infringement, enforcement, and emerging issues such as AI, streaming and blockchain.

Is the second edition updated for AI and streaming?
Yes. It adds new chapters on music streaming, AI authorship and infringement, deepfakes and personality rights, and blockchain/NFTs.

Who is this book written for?
Musicians, producers, copyright holders and other music industry practitioners, as well as academics and students of copyright law and music.

Does the book cover recent case law?
Yes, including recent copyright infringement cases such as those against Rudimental's 'Waiting All Night' and Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You'.

Where can I buy Copyright in the Music Industry?
You can order it directly from CLNZ Books, with worldwide shipping included in the price.

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