What does “distribution” mean?
Distribution is the way that recorded music gets into the hands of consumers. Traditionally, distribution companies sign deals with record labels which give them the right to sell that label's products. The distributor takes a cut of the income from each unit sold and then pays the label the remaining balance. Corite doesn't charge for the distribution, but has a 10% commission on the money raised in a fan campaign as well as on all royalties for providing the funding and marketing services through our network of backers.
What is a “stream”?
Streaming music, or more accurately streaming audio, is a way of delivering sound — including music — without requiring you to download files from the internet. Music services like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music use this method to provide songs that can be enjoyed on all types of devices. You can think of a stream as one play of a song.
What is a “backer”?
A person who has backed a Corite fan campaign with money. Corite lets fans get a share of a song's future earnings, called royalties, based on the size of their investment.
What is a “label”?
A label or record label is a company in the music industry that works in the production and marketing of music recordings and videos. This typically means they represent the recording, not the songwriter. A song can have multiple recorded versions, but there is only one original song. Corite is a service for artists that want to share and market their recordings. The songwriters are often represented by publishing companies.
What are “royalties”?
A payment to an owner for the ongoing use of their recordings, such as making it available on streaming services or for downloads. A simpler way of saying it is that it's the money the artist gets from the sales of the recorded music. These days most people are using streaming services where all the monthly fees and ad revenues in those services are paid out based on the music's share of the total number of streams.
What is “collective rights management”?
Collective rights management is the licensing of copyright and related rights by organizations acting on behalf of rights owners.
A collective management organization (CMO) is appointed by copyright holders to manage the rights in their copyright works on their behalf.
A bit of a headache - right? However this is important so be sure you educate yourself.
What is a “master recording”?
A master recording is the first recording of a song or other sound, from which all the later copies are made. This is typically owned by the recording’s rightsholder.
What does “A&R” mean?
Artists and repertoire (A&R) is the division of a record label or music publishing company that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists and songwriters. On Corite, anyone's an A&R person: you listen and if you like it, you can back it and be part of the success. As in the case of all works of art, there is no guarantee that a song will be popular. Don't make any bets you can't afford to lose.
What does “metadata” mean?
Typically in the music business, this is the set of written details that define a song, such as title, artist statement, genre, duration… well, you get it!
What are “UPC” and “ISRC” codes?
The Universal Product Code (UPC) is a barcode symbology globally used for tracking trade items in stores.
The International Standard Recording Code (or ISRC code) is a unique identification system for sound recordings and music video recordings. Each ISRC code identifies a specific unique recording and can be permanently encoded into a product as a kind of digital fingerprint.
But enough with technicalities. If you don’t have these codes for your song - worry not! Corite will generate them automatically.
What is a “mechanical license”?
A mechanical license grants the rights to reproduce and distribute copyrighted musical compositions. This permission is also called mechanical rights.
What does “derivative work” in music mean?
A derivative work is a work based on or derived from one already existing work. Common derivative works include translations and musical arrangements.
What is “synchronization” in the music business?
Synchronization rights refer to the right to use a piece of music as the soundtrack in an audio visual production.
What does “recoupment” mean?
Recoupment is the common practice of claiming an advance provided to an artist back from that artist rather than from related sources.
Any questions? Message us and we will get back to you.