The Question of Copyright in Music Therapy Practice and Research with Children

Abstract

This short essay discusses the relationship between ownership of creative works and music therapy. We ask the following question: what do we mean by ownership of stories and songs in music therapy? We answer this question by highlighting examples from music therapy literature. We base the essay on the notion that children may have certain rights concerning their intellectual properties and products made in therapy, but these rights are not always honored. Musical products such as lyrics or narratives made in music therapy are protected by most countries' national copyright laws, and music therapists working with music should pay close attention to the rights of the creator. Music therapy should not be a free zone or grey area where the laws on copyright do not matter. The essay offers suggestions for practitioners and researchers.