FEBRUARY 13, WORLD RADIO DAY
February 13, 2025
The need to understand the intricacies of copyright in radio programs is imperative for individuals or entities engaged in the production of such content, irrespective of whether the transmission is facilitated through traditional radio stations or digital formats such as podcasts or streaming.
The use of music, interviews, sound effects or any other content without the required authorization can result in legal repercussions, ranging from claims to financial penalties.
On the occasion of the World Radio Day (13 February), we analyze the following question: How are radio programs protected?
How can a radio program be protected by Intellectual Property?
Radio is a significant domain of intellectual creations, encompassing ideas, debates, programs, scripts, interviews and musical compositions, which are generated and broadcast. Collectively, these elements form a substantial cultural and communicational heritage.
The branch of law responsible for the protection of these creations is Intellectual Property, and radio productions find this support mainly through the well-known copyrights.
Copyright in radio
Copyright protects the originality and creativity of broadcast content, including scripts, programs, interviews, musical compositions and other formats that are intellectual works. It provides legal mechanisms that enable authors, broadcasters, producers and other professionals involved in radio production to protect their rights and obtain the corresponding recognition for their work and intellectual creations.
Copyright is a set of rules that protect creators of original content by granting them the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute and communicate their work.
The regulatory framework governing this protection varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but at the international level, there are treaties and agreements that guarantee unified minimum standards of protection, in order to ensure effective protection (for example, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works).
At the European and Spanish levels, the Intellectual Property Law governs both copyright and related rights, providing benefits to content creators, performers, and phonogram producers.
It should be noted that radio copyright not only protects individual creators, but also confers advantages to broadcasters and program producers.
From a pragmatic standpoint, radio broadcasters are obliged to ensure that they possess the requisite authorizations for the broadcasting of music, interviews and other protected material that may be exposed to the listening public. This predicament requires the establishment of agreements with rights management organizations.
However, despite advances in copyright protection, the radio sector still faces significant Intellectual Property challenges. Piracy, unauthorized reproduction of programs and the absence of a globally unified regulatory framework are issues that require more effective solutions.
How to protect the content of a radio program
In the context of Intellectual Property rights, it is imperative to recognize the significance of respecting the copyrights of others, while ensuring that one's own content is protected from unauthorized use. The following measures are recommended to ensure the protection of Intellectual Property rights:
- The use of Creative Commons licenses, if desired, to allow specific uses of material under specified conditions.
- The incorporation of copyright notices within episode descriptions or on the program's website.
In this document we provide you with more information on this subject.
Do you need specialized advice on this matter?
At UNGRIA we are experts in Intellectual Property and can help you ensure that your content complies with current regulations.
Contact us today for personalized advice.