Copyright

Sound Recordings

Jane Lambert
Last updated 4 May 2005

S. 5A (1) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended ("CDPA") defines a "sound recording" as:

"(a) a recording of sounds, from which the sounds may be reproduced, or
(b) a recording of the whole or any part of a literary, dramatic or musical work, from which sounds reproducing the work or part may be produced,
regardless of the medium on which the recording is made or the method by which the sounds are reproduced or produced."

There is no originality requirement as such, but copyright does not subsist in a sound recording which is, or to the extent that it is, a copy taken from a previous sound recording.

							Relevant Links Association of Independent Music British Phonographic Industry International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Mechanical Copyright Protection Society Performing Right Society Conventions and Treaties Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works Universal Copyright Convention UK Legislation Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)