Is a download a mechanical copy?

Is a download a mechanical copy?

• A. Yes — 100% reproduction / mechanical. It earns only a mechanical royalty.
• B. No, a download is not mechanical.
• C. A download is a public performance copy.
• D. A download is a hybrid with streaming.

Answer: (A)

A download is treated as a fixed, reproducible copy of the musical work in digital form. Mechanical royalties are paid for reproductions of songs in fixed formats, including digital phonorecords, so a downloaded track generates mechanical royalties for the songwriters and publishers. It isn’t a public performance, which would trigger performance royalties, and it isn’t inherently a streaming scenario or a hybrid; those have separate licensing structures. The master recording itself has its own licensing considerations, but the royalties tied to the composition—via a download—are mechanical.

A download is treated as a fixed, reproducible copy of the musical work in digital form. Mechanical royalties are paid for reproductions of songs in fixed formats, including digital phonorecords, so a downloaded track generates mechanical royalties for the songwriters and publishers. It isn’t a public performance, which would trigger performance royalties, and it isn’t inherently a streaming scenario or a hybrid; those have separate licensing structures. The master recording itself has its own licensing considerations, but the royalties tied to the composition—via a download—are mechanical.