Music Rights and Copyright
Laws in most territories of the world grant artistic creators (including writers, composers, artists, photographers, and film directors) certain rights relating to their works, and these rights pass to their heirs at death. Rights granted normally include the exclusive right to use their own work, and the right to license others to do so. These rights are together generally known as 'copyright': the relevant legislation in the United Kingdom is the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, with various subsequent amendments. Publishers also enjoy protection in the design and layout of books and printed music ('typographical rights'), and in their trademarks. A commonly used phrase to describe these and other similar rights is 'intellectual property rights', which recognizes that created work is indeed 'property', and as such may not be appropriated or used by others without permission. The copyright in the catalogue of music published by Oxford University Press is owned and administered by OUP, and OUP legally owns its trademarks and logos. OUP will always act to protect its rights, and those of its authors and composers: copyright infringement of any type is against the law, and deprives creators and publishers of their rightful income.
OUP Inc (US office)
The UK office of OUP has taken over handling music permission clearance for the US office. Any permission enquiries, including adaptations and arrangement requests, previously directed to the US office should now be sent to OUP Music Rights.
Music rights
OUP is pleased to advise, and to grant licences and permissions for the use of items from its copyright music and hymn catalogues, including for the following types of use:
Live performance
If you are planning to perform an opera or ballet from our catalogue, we will be able to license you directly. Please contact OUP Music Rights for information about costs and procedures. For performances of other types of work we will usually put you in touch with the PRS for Music in the UK, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in North America, or one of their international affiliates, who license concert performance on our behalf. You can contact the PRS or ASCAP direct via their websites.
Recordings
If you wish to make a sound recording of a work in OUP's catalogue, we will usually put you in touch with the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS), the Harry Fox Agency (HFA) in North America, or one of their international affiliates, who issues licences on our behalf.
Use of music in films
We are happy to discuss with you issues concerning the use of music in films, both for cinema/public performance, and for television. We will usually issue licences direct to users. Please contact OUP Music Rights.
Reproduction in print or electronic form
If you wish to reproduce part or all of a musical work in graphic (printed) form, either on paper, or (for example) on a website or CD-ROM, we may issue a licence to you directly. There are various restrictions, and occasionally we may ask you to buy printed music from us, if the item you require is readily available. Please contact OUP Music Rights.
Reproduction of hymn texts and tunes in schools and churches
OUP is a member of the schemes run by Christian Copyright Licensing International (several territories including the UK, North America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand) and OneLicense.net (North America). If a scheme operates in your territory, you will be able to use OUP copyright hymns and hymn tunes under the terms of these schemes. Please contact OUP Music Rights for further information. Alternatively you can contact CCLI and OneLicense.net directly.
Adaptations and arrangements
Please contact OUP Music Rights prior to making adaptations and arrangements of OUP's copyright music.
Contact Music Rights and Copyright for all other enquiries.
