Guidelines for Applying for Copyright License for

Musical Works

Application for Copyright License for Musical Works

Legal Provisions：

According to article 8 of China's Copyright Law and article 2 of the Regulations on Collective Management of Copyright, copyright collective management organizations established in accordance with the law are non-profit legal persons, and copyright holders may authorize copyright collective management organizations to exercise their copyright. A copyright collective management organization may collectively exercise the rights of right holders and carry out the following activities in its own name:

Entering into a copyright or copyright-related rights licensing contract with the user (hereinafter referred to as the licensing contract);

Collecting copyright royalties from users;

Transfer of copyright royalties to right holders;

Conducting litigation, arbitration, etc. involving copyright or copyright-related rights.

According to China's Copyright Law and its implementing regulations, a musical work is a work with or without lyrics that can be sung or performed, such as a song or symphony; musical works are protected by the Copyright Law. Except for circumstances clearly stipulated by law, the user of a musical work shall obtain prior permission from the copyright owner in accordance with the law and pay remuneration to the copyright owner.

Regarding copyright collective management organizations for musical works, the Music Copyright Society of China (“MCSC”) is the only collective management organization for copyrights of musical works in China (except Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions), and manages rights items including the reproduction right, the performing right, the broadcasting right, and the right of communication to the public through information network, etc.; and the management includes issuing licenses, collecting and transferring copyright licensing royalties, and filing lawsuits to protect rights. MCSC is a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), managing the copyrights of more than 18 million musical works of more than 3 million songwriters worldwide.

Regarding the applicant, it refers to the entity that publicly uses musical works in various ways in China (except for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions).

Regarding the application and licensing process, the applicant shall submit the application materials and other documents in electronic files or in writing; upon receiving of the application materials, the relevant departments of MCSC shall be responsible for reviewing and confirming with the applicant, and both parties shall sign the relevant rights licensing contract in writing and complete the licensing procedures; the applicant pays the copyright royalties; MCSC shall issue an invoice and issue the “License for Use of Musical Works / License Logo for Use of Musical Works” to the applicant, and the applicant obtains the license to use the musical work.The copyright royalties collected by MCSC are distributed to music copyright owners such as songwriters.

Regarding the application for the use of musical works in exhibitions, for the use of musical works in various types of exhibitions, the applicant shall apply for a copyright license for the use of musical works from MCSC before the exhibition, sign a written contract and pay copyright royalites to use the musical works legally (please refer to “Music Copyright Licensing Application Guide for Exhibition”).

Please send the above-mentioned written application materials, qualification documents, licensing contracts, etc. to “Music Copyright Society of China, *** Department” (Address: 20F, Beijing News Plaza, No.26 Jianguomen Nei Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing). For further detailed information on the application for copyright license of musical works, please call (010-65232656), email or visit the official website of MCSC. Please visit the “Contact Us” column of the official website of Music Copyright Society of China (https://www.mcsc.com.cn).

Guidelines for Applying for Copyright License for Musical Works.docx