MU3S32 - Music Publishing and Rights Management 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MU3S32
Module Title: Music Publishing and Rights Management
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader:
Module Team: Lucy Squire, Rob Locke
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100643 - music and arts management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To enable students to understand the evolution and principles of music publishing through many platforms both offline and online.

Content Summary

The module focuses a practical approach to of protecting musical rights, collections societies and current specific publishing initiatives. This module explores how students and professionals in the creative industries manage and commercially exploit musical works. It examines the organisation, structure and business models of traditional music publishing and modes and methods of “self-publishing” for DIY musicians. Students will explore the relationships composers and publishers have with the royalty collection societies and the working practice of royalty collection and distribution worldwide for published and “self-published” works.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 20
Tutorial 2
Independent Study 92
Directed Study 72
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 2
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 An understanding of rights management principles and that underpin practices in the music industry.
LO2 Critically evaluate music publishing processes and approaches relating to music organisations.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Presentation (Asynchronous) 1 Presentation – That discusses musical work exploitation and how to protect an artist. 20 N/A 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 Individual assignment – That explores Music Publishing and Rights Management. 0 2500 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Asynchronous) 1
Case study 1

Reading List

Herstand, A. (2019) HOW TO MAKE IT IN THE NEW MUSIC BUSINESS?: practical tips on building a loyal following... and making a living as a musician. S.L.: Liveright Publishing Corp
Baskerville, D. and Baskerville, T. (2020). Music business handbook and career guide. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Harrison, A. (2017) Music the business: the essential guide to the law and deals. (7th ed). London: Virgin Publishing
Passman, D. (2019) All You Need To Know About The Music Business. (10th Ed). New York: Viking
Acooke, C. (2018). Dissecting the digital dollar. Music Managers Forum, London.