A record label is responsible for producing, distributing, and marketing an artist's music. They sign artists to exclusive contracts and own the copyrights to their music and videos. Major labels have more pressure to produce commercial content, while independent labels give artists more creative freedom as new or unsigned acts. The document discusses Astralwerks label, which specializes in electronic music and is based in the US but signs international artists. Record labels enforce copyright and prevent unauthorized use of an artist's work. Permission must be obtained to use copyrighted music in videos. The author plans to properly label and request permission for any music used to avoid legal issues. Their proposed independent label Golden Age Records is based in London and aims to help artists achieve

1. Record Labels
By Wiktoria Paetz

2. What are record labels/what do they do?
A record label is in fact a company that is responsible for the production, distribution and
marketing for an artist and their music. Artist's are often signed to two record labels,
where one record label would be biased in America and the other in the UK/Europe, even
possibly even another record label in Japan. Their aim is to endorse the biggest profit off
the artist they have created as well as their products. Record labels enforce copyright rules
for songs and music videos created by their artist's. They also conduct talent scouting for
new artists as well as maintaining contracts with artists and their managers.

3. Major and Independant Labels
My artist will be signed to an independant label as these smaller labels generally have more
freedom when it comes to producing new songs, as it's not under the same pressure by
major record labels to produce certain content that the label wants to make rather than
the actual artist. It will make more sense for my artist to be signed to an independant label
considering the fact that they are indeed a new upcoming artist and has not yet been
scouted by anyone from a major record label.

4. Which label would suit your artist?
My artist would most likely be suited to a label called
Astralwerks. This label is owned by Universal Music Group, they
distribute via Capitol Music Group. The record releases material
from EMI Music Australia. Astralwerks is a US based record
label that was founded 25 years ago in 1993 and specialises in
electronic, techno and some pop music. The labels most popular
artist include: deadmau5, Empire of the Sun, Nervo and Halsey.
Not only does the label sign US artist's, it also signs artist's from
all over Europe. This is useful to us are our artist resides in the
UK. Astralwerks also uses Universal Music Distribution to
distribute the music outside of the US which makes this also
relevant to us.

5. What is copyright and how are record labels
responsible for it?
Copyright is the legal right that an artist or institution has over the material that they have
produced. Copyright prevents anyone taking credit for/stealing another artist's work.
Record labels also have a signed contract with the artist in which it will state that they own
the content created by the artist. The artist is then only allowed to record exclusively for
that certain record label. The label is also responsible for enforcing the copyright laws for
both the creation and distribution of their artist's work.

6. What do you need to consider while using copyrighted music?
What are you not permitted to do with your music video? What
can you do?
Using my own knowledge of record labels, I will identify each of the conventions that will
be necessary with certain artist's’ work for a particular institution, allowing my own work
to look professional. I shall also not change the music in anyway, and ensure to make use of
the correct legal labelling for my music video in order to make sure that it is legally safe and
secure. I will also be emailing/contacting my chosen record label in some way to ask for
permission to use their artist's work in order to ensure that I am not breaching any of their
copyright laws.

7. How are you going to use what you have learned about
record labels and copyright in your productions
I will insure that all the correct labeling has been placed on my digipak and on the actual
music video. I will take no credit for the actual music and/or lyrics in the song. I will not
charge anything for the song and ensure that anyone can it for free. Also to avoid any
copyright breaches, I will write a letter to the record label to ask them for permission for
the use of their song.

8. My Record Label
Golden Age Records is an independent British record
label based in London. The name originates from the mid
16th century: where Greek and Roman poets name the
first period of history, when the human race lived in an
ideal state. I chose this name for our record label as the
‘Golden Age’ is said to be the first and best age of
mankind, when existence was happy and prosperous. I
feel that this is something that will motivate artist to
create the ‘Golden age’ for themselves and make their
career flourish and blossom. ‘progress, prosperity and
achievement’ is our records motto as it represent the
three stages of success. We want our artist to believe in
their work and put their heart and soul into their music
which will show results.

9. My Record Label