Musicians and copyright: A history of collective rights management in the music industry - Hardcover

Véronique Pouillard; Marius Buning; Mala Loth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1526180146 ISBN 13: 9781526180148

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2026

Synopsis

Musicians and Copyright explores the role of Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) in shaping the music industry from the mid-nineteenth century to today. Edited by VéroniquePouillard, Marius Buning, and Mala Loth, the book traces the development of CMOs and their impact on copyright and cultural production. Through historical analysis, it examines the challenges CMOs have faced, from colonial contexts to European integration and the digital age, and shows how CMOs have navigated regulatory changes, technological shifts, and internal politics. Offering a detailed history of these important institutions, Musicians and Copyright is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of music, law, and the cultural industries.

About this title

About the Author

Véronique Pouillard is Professor of Modern International History at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History, University of Oslo Marius Buning is Professor of European History at the University of Oslo Mala Loth is a postdoctoral fellow at ARENA Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo

From the Back Cover

Musicians and copyright explores the evolution of collective management organisations (CMOs) from the nineteenth century to the present day, shedding light on their central role in securing copyright revenues for artists and the broader music industry. It examines how CMOs have influenced copyright law and on cultural production across different times and places.

Through detailed historical analysis, the volume traces how these organisations responded to major developments - from colonial contexts and European integration to the rise of digital technologies. It highlights key issues such as membership policies, classification systems, language barriers and practices of registration and distribution. Through this lens, the book examines how CMOs have managed internal tensions while also confronting external pressures from changing regulations, market shifts and technological innovation.

By examining the institutional infrastructure and social dynamics of CMOs, Musicians and copyright offers new insights into how these organisations have shaped not only the distribution of copyright revenues but also the accessibility and circulation of music itself. A vital resource for scholars of music, intellectual property and the cultural industries, this book provides a deeper understanding of the institutions that continue to influence musical creation and access across the globe.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1526180146
• ISBN 13: 9781526180148
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 292