More Than Applause: Protecting The Value Of A Song

By Atira Khalisha Nor Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- In Malaysia’s music industry, many artistes are still missing out on fair royalties — not because their songs aren’t played, but because too few understand the true value of copyright protection.

According to copyright consultant Rashidah Ridha Sheikh Khalid, this lack of awareness continues to cost musicians ownership of their own creations, as many still neglect the legal and contractual aspects of their work.

Without proper management, she said, royalties often go unclaimed due to the absence of clear agreements with producers, distributors, or event organisers.

“It happens so often — people question why their royalties are small. When we check, you didn’t even sign the contract. Those are the setbacks that should be avoided. It’s your responsibility to manage your intellectual property,” she told Bernama after the FrequenSEA: An ASEAN Music Conference here recently. .

The conference, themed ‘The Hidden Economy of Music: Why ASEAN Musicians Deserve More Than Applause,’ was part of Riuh X ASEAN 2025, organised by the Ministry of Communications through MyCreative Ventures, in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship. 

pic-2

Rashidah said that awareness of copyright protection often comes too late — usually only after a musician’s work has been used without permission.

“When you don’t register your copyright, people can easily take your work. You won’t get a single sen, and it’s heartbreaking when you hear your song played on mainstream platforms. You can only say, ‘Oh, that’s my song — I made that!’ But how are you going to prove it? You can’t anymore,” she said.

She added that disputes over ownership are also common, particularly involving lyrics and musical compositions. Many, she said, have found their names missing from song credits despite their contributions.

“A song isn’t always the work of just one composer and one lyricist. For instance, the late P. Ramlee often collaborated with S. Sudarmaji and several others. Royalties are divided based on the agreed contract. That’s why documentation and proof of ownership are so important — to prevent disputes later on,” she explained.

pic-3

Rashidah stressed that copyright is not just a legal formality, but a vital instrument that enables creative workers to earn an income from their creations.

The system, she added, is supported by collective management organisations (CMOs) that help musicians collect royalties when their works are used across different platforms.

She also called on musicians to shift their perspective — to see music not merely as entertainment, but as a valuable economic asset.

“We need to move away from the old belief that music isn’t a real career. When managed properly, creative works can generate continuous income. But it all starts with one basic thing — awareness and knowledge of copyright,” she said.

 As Malaysia’s music landscape continues to evolve, industry players say the next stage of progress lies not only in creativity but in control — understanding that every lyric, melody, and rhythm is more than art; it’s intellectual property. For musicians, knowing their rights may well be the key to ensuring that their passion pays off, both artistically and financially.

-- BERNAMA