Music Data and Metadata Management
Expert-defined terms from the Global Certificate in Music Publishing: Next-Gen course at Greenwich School of Business and Finance. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Acquisition #
The process of obtaining new music data, such as recordings or compositions, from various sources like musicians, composers, record labels, or publishers.
Asset Management #
The practice of organizing, storing, and maintaining access to music data and metadata, ensuring that it is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
Audio Fingerprinting #
A technology that uniquely identifies audio recordings by analyzing their audio waves, enabling automated identification and tracking of music usage.
Catalog Management #
The process of organizing, tracking, and maintaining a music publisher's or record label's repertoire of compositions, recordings, and associated metadata.
Chief Data Officer (CDO) #
A senior executive responsible for enterprise-wide governance and utilization of data as an asset, including music data and metadata management.
Data Governance #
The overall management of the availability, usability, integrity, and security of data, including music data and metadata, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Data Lake #
A centralized repository that allows for storing and processing large volumes of raw data, including music data and metadata, in its native format.
Data Mart #
A subset of a data warehouse, focused on a specific business area, such as music publishing or recordings, and optimized for reporting and analysis.
Data Warehouse #
A large, centralized repository of structured and integrated data, including music data and metadata, designed for reporting, analysis, and decision-making.
Digital Rights Management (DRM) #
A set of technologies and policies used to protect digital content, such as music recordings and compositions, from unauthorized access, use, or distribution.
DSP (Digital Service Provider) #
A company that provides digital music services, such as streaming or download platforms, to consumers.
Entity #
Attribute-Value (EAV) Model: A database model used for managing highly flexible and dynamic data structures, such as music metadata, where attributes and their values can change over time.
Intellectual Property (IP) #
Creations of the mind, such as musical compositions and recordings, protected by law through patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) #
A unique identifier for sound recordings and music videos, used for tracking and managing music data and metadata.
ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) #
A unique identifier for musical compositions, used for tracking and managing music data and metadata.
Machine Learning #
A subset of artificial intelligence that enables systems to automatically learn and improve from experience without explicit programming, used for analyzing and managing music data and metadata.
Metadata Management #
The practice of creating, maintaining, and utilizing metadata to enhance the value, usability, and findability of music data.
Metadata Standard #
A set of rules, guidelines, and specifications for creating and managing metadata, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and interoperability.
Music Data #
Information related to music, such as compositions, recordings, performances, and associated metadata, used for various purposes, including licensing, royalty distribution, and analysis.
Music Licensing #
The process of obtaining permission to use copyrighted musical works and recordings, often involving the payment of royalties to the copyright owners.
Music Recognition Technology #
Technologies used for identifying and tracking music usage, including audio fingerprinting, acoustic fingerprinting, and watermarking.
Music Streaming #
A digital music distribution model where consumers listen to music online, often on-demand, and pay a subscription fee or are exposed to advertisements.
OPM (Other People's Music) #
Music that is not owned or controlled by a particular individual or organization, but rather by a third party, such as a music publisher or record label.
Performing Rights Organization (PRO) #
An organization that collects and distributes royalties for public performances of musical works on behalf of songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Royalty Accounting #
The process of calculating, reporting, and paying royalties to music copyright owners based on usage data and contractual agreements.
Royalty Reporting #
The practice of providing detailed reports to music copyright owners regarding the usage and revenue generated by their compositions and recordings.
Royalty Statement #
A document detailing the royalties due to a music copyright owner, including usage data, revenue, and deductions.
Royalty Tracking #
The process of monitoring and collecting data on the usage of musical works and recordings, used for calculating and distributing royalties to copyright owners.
SoundExchange #
A US-based organization that collects and distributes digital performance royalties for sound recordings on behalf of record labels and artists.
Sync Licensing #
The process of obtaining permission to use a musical work in synchronization with visual media, such as films, TV shows, advertisements, or video games, often involving the payment of synchronization fees and royalties.
User #
Centric Payment System: A royalty distribution model where streaming revenues are distributed directly to the rights holders of the music consumed by individual users, ensuring fairness and accuracy in royalty payments.
Watermarking #
A technique used for embedding hidden information, such as unique identifiers, into digital content, including music recordings, for tracking and managing usage.