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.

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

Your rights as a parent and a working musician, explained

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

Your rights as a parent and a working musician, explained

#WorkNotPlayMU

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

Hand turns a wooden cube and changes an unequal sign to an equal sign between symbols of men and women, on an orange background.

MU Deeply Disappointed as Government Fails to Address Misogyny in the Music Industry

Today the UK Government has responded to the Misogyny in Music Report and rejected recommendations that would help protect and support women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination, despite hearing strong evidence from women, experts and organisations in the sector.

Published: 19 April 2024

Young female Black musician, wearing headphones sat in front of a keyboard in a recording studio.

Black Lives in Music Launch YourSafetyYourSay Survey on Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry

The survey will inform government legislation, the work of the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority and the wider music industry. It will also be used to support BLiM’s forthcoming Anti Racist Code of Conduct. Members are encouraged to share their experiences.

Published: 19 April 2024

People with placards 'Fund the Arts', 'We are union strong', ;We are ENO'

Musicians’ Union Members Reach Agreement with English National Opera

The MU has reached an agreement with English National Opera for musicians in the orchestra, and an offer in principle for music staff.

Published: 15 February 2024

Inclusion and discrimination concept. Lines of wooden figurines as a barrier in front of different coloured figurines.

LGBTQ+ Musicians Still Impacted by Discrimination and Harassment Says 2023 Musicians’ Census

New findings from the Musicians’ Census show that LGBTQ+ musicians are disproportionately impacted by discrimination and sexual harassment, particularly for trans musicians, having a more widespread impact on their careers and ability to work.

Published: 07 February 2024

Silhouette of a young woman playing guitar alone in the dark.

MU Welcomes Recommendations Made in Government’s Misogyny in Music Report

The report, which was based on an inquiry into what misogynistic attitudes existed in the music industry and why, concluded that much work is still needed to tackle discrimination and the harassment and sexual abuse of women.

Published: 30 January 2024

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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

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

MU Deeply Disappointed as Government Fails to Address Misogyny in the Music Industry

Black Lives in Music Launch YourSafetyYourSay Survey on Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry

Musicians’ Union Members Reach Agreement with English National Opera

LGBTQ+ Musicians Still Impacted by Discrimination and Harassment Says 2023 Musicians’ Census

MU Welcomes Recommendations Made in Government’s Misogyny in Music Report