What musicians get sued for
Claims against musicians usually start with the music or what surrounds it: a song someone says copies theirs, a sample nobody cleared, a lyric about a real person, an album cover built on someone else's photo. Music liability, the music version of media liability, defends those claims.
Ready for a policy? Get a musician quote from SongSure.
Where claims come from
- Lyrics about real people.
- Music videos with people, places and logos in frame.
- Artwork using images you didn't license.
- Band names that clash with a trademark.
- Covers released without the right license.
- Posts about other artists, promoters or venues.
Making your own beats? See insurance for music producers. Hosting a show about music? Read podcast insurance.
How music liability works
A claim usually arrives as a demand letter. Your policy pays for a lawyer to answer it, then defense costs and covered settlements or judgments, up to your limit. Coverage depends on your policy terms.
Old work can draw new claims, so SongSure sets up your policy to cover what you already published, not only what comes next.
General liability and your songs
General liability (which SongSure covers) covers injuries at your shows and some defamation claims for ordinary businesses. It usually limits or excludes that for businesses whose work is publishing or broadcasting, and it generally leaves out claims that your song copies someone else's. See media vs general liability.
Questions
What insurance do musicians need?
Music liability for your songs, gear coverage (which SongSure covers) and general liability for shows (which SongSure covers).
Is music E&O the same as music liability insurance?
Yes. Two names for the same coverage.
Does music liability cover songs I already released?
Your policy can cover your existing catalog. It doesn't cover a dispute you already know about.
What if someone steals my music?
That runs the other way. Fight Back helps you go after them (which SongSure covers).
Ready for a policy?
SongSure is our music insurance program, part of the same company as CreatorSure. It sells musician insurance for songs, gear and shows.