Rights, royalties and the business · updated 2026-08-16

WORK FOR HIRE

An arrangement where the commissioning party is treated as the author. Narrowly defined in US law — read before signing.

Contract paperwork, a pen and a vinyl record on a desk in a music office

SOURCES AND CITATIONS

Free, primary references for work for hire — standards bodies, manufacturers, government offices and university course material.

RELATED TERMS IN RIGHTS, ROYALTIES AND THE BUSINESS

Back to the full music glossary or read our latest articles.