Workplace Rights and Legislation

Your workplace rights you need to know when working as a musician, explained.

Essential advice

Legal review

Aggregator Digital Distribution Services

A review of the terms and conditions of six of the most popular aggregators

Employment Rights & Advice

It is essential that you know if you are an employee, a worker or self-employed musician.

Member service

Employment Legal Advice & Assistance

Get legal advice and guidance from a specialist employment lawyer.

Data Protection

Advice and guidance on GDPR completed with some music industry specific case studies.

Partnerships for Musicians

If the members of the band are sharing income and debts, then the broad view is that they are in partnership. Find out what this means.

Member service

Partnership Advisory Service

Provided that the musicians in a band or group are sharing income and debts, then the broad view is that you are all in 'partnership'. That’s where our Partnership Advisory Service comes in.

Copyright and performer rights

The basics

Copyright, Moral Rights and Performers' Rights

What music copyright laws are, how you can acquire copyright, what are moral rights and performers' rights.

Songwriters and Composers

Proving and Protecting your Musical Property

Who owns the song copyright and how to prove it.

Copyright Laws for Music Teachers

Teaching music and staying within copyright law

Member service

Legal Advice & Assistance

Expert advice and support with unpaid fees, disputes and other legal issues at work.

Music recording

Copyright for Performers in a Sound Recording

Guidance for recording musicians on copyright and performers' rights.

Guidance on equality rights

Disabled Musicians' Workplace Rights

Your rights as a working disabled musicians, explained.

Working with Neurodivergent Musicians

Find out about what neurodiversity means, how to support colleagues in the workplace, and where to find further support and help

Sexual Harassment at Work

What is sexual harassment, who is protected and who is liable. Guidance, support and help resources for self-employed and employed musicians.

Menopause at Work

Guidance and a sample policy to help workplaces support people experiencing symptoms of menopause.

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

Your rights as a parent and a working musician, explained

Carer's Rights

Guidance for musicians with unpaid caring responsibilities.

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". Have you been asked to work for no fee?

Tell us about it See all Campaigns

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

Back of a women playing acoustic guitar on an outdoor stage.

MU Responds to New Report on Women’s Experiences of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Scottish Folk Music

A new report has been published by researchers at the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research at the University of Glasgow, representing the largest evidence base on harassment within Scottish Folk Music.

Published: 22 January 2026

Boating Lake at Highfields Park - a public area in the grounds of the University of Nottingham.

MU Sends Open Letter to University of Nottingham on Music Course Cuts

Music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham while the university’s council decides whether to terminate the courses permanently. Read our open letter to the University's Vice Chancellor.

Published: 25 November 2025

A group of buskers standing on the steps of Westminster Council holding campaign placards.

London Buskers Secure Campaign Support at Westminster Council Meeting

Buskers went to Westminster Council to speak to their representatives about new viable, accessible pitches for the festive season and beyond.

Published: 24 November 2025

Exterior shot of the research building at Nottingham University.

University of Nottingham to Suspend Music Courses

A consultation to close music at Nottingham is the latest in a string of proposed university music closures.

Published: 06 November 2025

A group of young workers raising their fists in solidarity on a march and holding signs for fair work.

Take Part in Young Workers’ Month this November

Celebrate the impact of young members and build trade union representation where you are this TUC Young Workers’ Month.

Published: 06 November 2025

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Popular searches

Workplace Rights and Legislation

Essential advice

Aggregator Digital Distribution Services

Employment Rights & Advice

Employment Legal Advice & Assistance

Data Protection

Partnerships for Musicians

Partnership Advisory Service

Copyright and performer rights

Copyright, Moral Rights and Performers' Rights

Proving and Protecting your Musical Property

Copyright Laws for Music Teachers

Legal Advice & Assistance

Copyright for Performers in a Sound Recording

Guidance on equality rights

Disabled Musicians' Workplace Rights

Working with Neurodivergent Musicians

Sexual Harassment at Work

Menopause at Work

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

Carer's Rights

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

MU Responds to New Report on Women’s Experiences of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Scottish Folk Music

MU Sends Open Letter to University of Nottingham on Music Course Cuts

London Buskers Secure Campaign Support at Westminster Council Meeting

University of Nottingham to Suspend Music Courses

Take Part in Young Workers’ Month this November