In the realm of music licensing, “Broadcast Mechanical” relates to a specific category of mechanical royalty earned when a pre-recorded piece of music is transmitted via radio or television broadcasts. This concept primarily finds application in Europe and select regions across the globe.
In the context of music rights and royalties, the term “mechanical” historically referred to the physical reproduction of music onto tangible mediums such as vinyl records, CDs, or tapes. In contemporary times, it encompasses digital reproductions and streaming as well.
When a recorded musical composition is aired on television or radio, it initiates a mechanical reproduction event, resulting in the accrual of what is known as a broadcast mechanical royalty. It is imperative to distinguish this from performance royalties, which stem from the public rendition of a musical composition.
These broadcast mechanical royalties are systematically collected by collective management organizations or mechanical rights entities, notable examples including GEMA in Germany, SACEM in France, or PRS for Music in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, these organizations undertake the equitable distribution of these financial proceeds to the rightful beneficiaries, typically the songwriters and music publishers.
For more comprehensive information, visit the Mechanical License page on Wikipedia.