Music Ownership: Rights and Value
Session by Jean-Francois Bert
After clarifying what a musical work is and the rights associated with it, this masterclass aims to explore the economic and legal issues associated with copyright, highlighting the value chain that structures the global music industry. Through an analysis of key market figures (IFPI vs CISAC), the legal foundations of copyright, and the essential distinctions between works, recordings and performances, the session will offer an understanding of the relationships between authors, rights holders, publishers and producers. Focusing on the central role of collective management organisations and the specific features of moral rights in France, this presentation will raise the issues of income distribution, exploitation rights and the international protection of works. The masterclass will highlight the economic dynamics of the various types of exploitation (streaming, concerts, licences) and their impact on the value of works in a globalised market.
Speaker’s Bio
Jean-Francois Bert
With a career spanning several decades, Jean-François established himself as a figure in music rights management and innovation.
Currently, JF serves as the Co-founder of Balada (2023+), focusing on global rights collection for both sound recordings and compositions. Prior to this, he founded Securights in 2018, where he pioneered the direct collection of mechanical rights on platforms like YouTube in the USA and Canada, working with major organizations such as PRS, MCPS, SACEM, and various independent publishers.
His career journey includes notable positions at Utopia Music, Quansic, Transparency Rights Management, EMI, and SACEM, where he honed his expertise in music rights and publishing. Over the years, he held various roles, from label manager to publisher, music supervisor, tour manager, and artist manager—each position enriching his comprehensive understanding of the music business.
In addition to those entrepreneurial ventures, he's deeply committed to fostering the growth of the music ecosystem. He's the Founder and President of Music Tech France (2019+), an association representing 80 French Music Tech companies, and the Co-founder of Music Tech Europe (2023+), further advocating for innovation in the music industry.
As an author, JF contributed to the understanding of music publishing with his book "The Art of Music Publishing" (2004, 2006, 2011).
