What is the European Union copyright law?

Learn about Copyright law in Europe

European Union copyright law is a little more complicated than that of most other countries. A basic overview of your rights as a songwriter is as follows :

The following rights are protected by European Union law:

1. The right of reproduction for authors, performers, producers of phonograms and films and broadcasting organizations.
2. The right of communication to the public for authors, performers, producers of phonograms and films and broadcasting organizations.
3. The right of distribution for authors and for performers, producers of phonograms and films and broadcasting organizations.
4. The right of fixation for performers and broadcasting organizations.
5. The right of rental and/or lending for authors, performers, producers of phonograms and films, with an associated right of equitable remuneration for lending and/or rental for authors and performers.
6. The right of broadcasting for performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organizations.
7. The right of communication to the public by satellite and cable for authors, performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organizations.
8. The right of computer program reproduction, distribution and rental for authors.

This article is only scratching the surface - here you can find more detailed information of EU copyright law.

Please note that the policy on copyright law is different in every territory. Please check your local laws as necessary.