The music industry has dramatically transformed over the past few decades. Earlier, music was primarily distributed through physical formats such as vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs. The physical distribution gave artists, record labels, and distributors more tangible control over their intellectual property. And copyright infringements weren’t common cause once the music in physical formats was purchased, it stayed with them like forever.
However, the digital revolution has completely redefined the way how music is created, distributed, and consumed. Today, we have music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to access millions of songs with just a few clicks. This global reach and exposure have presented a new set of challenges for artists, songwriters, and producers to protect their intellectual property rights (IPR). Thus, in today’s digital era, safeguarding IPR in the music industry has become more critical than ever.
For the very same reason, WIPO on World IP Day 2025 theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP” emphasizes the role of IP in safeguarding the rights of musicians, composers, and producers, ensuring they can thrive in a competitive global market.
In this post, we explore the vital role that Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) play in the modern music industry. We will discuss key IPR strategies for songwriters, record labels, music companies, and others to protect and enforce their creative works in the digital age, ensuring fair compensation and safeguarding against unauthorized use.
In the music industry, protecting IP rights is essential for sustaining creativity, commercial success, and long-term brand value. Artists, producers, and music companies must adopt strategic approaches to secure their rights through trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Each type of IPR serves a unique role in safeguarding different aspects of music creation, branding, and innovation. Let’s explore these key IPR strategies in detail.
Trademarks in the music industry protect distinctive signs, names, logos, and slogans associated with an artist, band, record label, or music event. These marks help build brand identity and consumer recognition. Artists and record labels should connect with a registered trademark attorney during the early stages of their careers to secure brand assets for global merchandising, sponsorships, and licensing opportunities.
BEYONCÉ (Registration No. 4125777) https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77613638&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch
THE BEATLES (Registration No. 2066226) https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=74693640&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch
SPOTIFY (Registration No. 5794869) https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87108365&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch
Recent Trademark Infringement Cases
Copyright is the most fundamental IPR in music, safeguarding original compositions, lyrics, recordings, album artwork, and even music videos. It gives creators the exclusive rights to reproduce, perform, distribute, and adapt their work.
Real world examples :
Registration Number: PA0002159018
Title: A Musical Film — The Bootleg Series Vol. 13, 1979-1981 / by Bob Dylan
https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_30634021
Document Number: V9911D318
Title: Yesterday / By The Beatles.
https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_28010867
Document Number: V9994D161
Title: Venus; sound recording / Lady Gaga.
https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_35481812
Registration Number: PA0000731055
Title: Coming back to life.
https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_11549518
Recent Copyright Infringement Cases
While less common in traditional music creation, patents play a role in the music tech space. They protect inventions and innovations, such as new musical instruments, audio processing systems, or production tools. Companies developing new sound technologies or innovative musical tools often patent their inventions to protect R&D investments and license the technology to other creators or manufacturers.
These are a specific type of patent that protects the functional aspects of inventions. In music, they can cover innovations like digital audio processing software, novel recording techniques, or smart musical instruments.
US11601764B2 (Audio analysis and processing system) https://patents.google.com/patent/US11601764B2/en?q=TAC%3d(audio+OR+processing+OR+anc+OR+audio+OR+processing+OR+software)
US11715482B2 (Personalized, real-time audio processing) https://patents.google.com/patent/US11715482B2/en?q=TAC%3d(audio+OR+processing+OR+anc+OR+audio+OR+processing+OR+software)
US20230120140A1 (AI based remixing of music: timbre transformation and matching of mixed audio data) https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230120140A1/en?q=TAC%3d(Sound+synthesis)&q=(music)&oq=+TAC%3dSound+synthesis
US10891103B1 (Music-based social networking multi-media application and related methods) https://patents.google.com/patent/US10891103B1/en?q=(streaming+algorithms)&q=(music)&oq=streaming+algorithms
Design patents protect the ornamental or aesthetic aspects of a product rather than its functionality. In the music industry, this can include the unique look of a musical instrument, headphone design, or even the user interface of a music app.
USD959410S1 (Audio speaker system) https://patents.google.com/patent/USD959410S1/en?q=(speaker+system)&type=DESIGN&oq=(speaker+system)+type:DESIGN
USD730942S1 (DJ sound system) https://patents.google.com/patent/USD730942S1/en?q=TAC%3d(DJ)&type=DESIGN&oq=TAC%3d(DJ)+type:DESIGN
USD725152S1 (Control panel for DJ sound system) https://patents.google.com/patent/USD725152S1/en?q=TAC%3d(DJ)&type=DESIGN&oq=TAC%3d(DJ)+type:DESIGN
USD1009071S1 (Display screen with graphical user interface) https://patents.google.com/patent/USD1009071S1/en?q=(music)+(application+UI)&type=DESIGN
USD801347S1 (Display screen with a graphical user interface for a sound added video making and sharing app) https://patents.google.com/patent/USD801347S1/en?q=(user+interface+music+app)&type=DESIGN&oq=(user+interface+music+app)+type:DESIGN
Recent Patent Infringement Cases
Spotify Sued for Patent Infringement over ‘Remote Group Session’ and ‘Jam’ Features (Link)
BMG faces lawsuit in the US for alleged patent infringement (Link)
Blue Spike v. Warner Music Group (Link)
For more than a decade, we’ve partnered with artists, producers, labels, and music tech innovators to provide end-to-end intellectual property (IP) protection. Our customized IP solutions are built to safeguard your creative works and digital assets, ensuring your rights are enforced and your innovations are secure.
Schedule a one-on-one meeting with our subject matter experts and discuss your project queries today!
