Is a stream a mechanical copy?

Is a stream a mechanical copy?

• A. A stream is purely a mechanical copy.
• B. A stream is a hybrid: part mechanical reproduction and part public performance. It earns both a mechanical royalty (via MLC) and a public performance royalty (via PRO).
• C. A stream earns only public performance royalties.
• D. A stream earns neither mechanical nor public performance royalties.

Answer: (B)

A stream involves both copying the musical work and performing it to listeners. When a streaming service delivers music, it temporarily stores digital copies of the tracks on its servers to stream them to users (that’s the reproduction work covered by mechanical rights). At the same time, the act of transmitting the music to the public is a public performance. Because of these two facets, a stream generates mechanical royalties for the song’s authors and publishers through the Mechanical Licensing Collective, and public-performance royalties through a performing rights organization. In practice, streaming services typically pay both types of royalties, reflecting the dual nature of a stream as both reproduction and performance.

A stream involves both copying the musical work and performing it to listeners. When a streaming service delivers music, it temporarily stores digital copies of the tracks on its servers to stream them to users (that’s the reproduction work covered by mechanical rights). At the same time, the act of transmitting the music to the public is a public performance. Because of these two facets, a stream generates mechanical royalties for the song’s authors and publishers through the Mechanical Licensing Collective, and public-performance royalties through a performing rights organization. In practice, streaming services typically pay both types of royalties, reflecting the dual nature of a stream as both reproduction and performance.