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A sheet music publisher is contacted by or contacts composers for distribution of the composers work. If a publisher and a composer agree several steps are necessary from acquiring the work till the final distribution to customers. Yet, the tasks to be done are not finished after a work is sold. Even after selling work publishers have to further tasks, which are related to control and payment of rights usages.

Especially for sheet music publishers digital content distribution provides advantages, which are obvious. On the one hand everyone is aware of the drawbacks of traditional distribution of printed sheet music: Stores have only limited accessibility due to their opening hours. Even if a shop is opened typically the sheet music desired by a customer is not available and has to be delivered by mail. This process is time consuming and often the shipping costs outweigh the costs of the product itself. This is also the case if printed scores are ordered via a web portal.

The online distribution of digital content overcomes these drawbacks: no expensive stock is needed; digital data is accessible 24 hours a day and 7 hours a week; shipping can be done within seconds or minutes depending on the speed of the Internet connection. Furthermore new types of distribution are possible. One important aspect is the composers’ and musicians’ possibility of self-promotion and their direct contact to customers.

Yet, for an economically efficient distribution several aspects have to be considered. We will not discuss protection issues or DRM related issues here, as obviously every author deserves the right that is content is shared according within the given legal framework and according to his idea[1]. For an efficient distribution other parameters play also an important role. These parameters include the accessibility by customers (e.g. meta-data issues influencing the search results). Also the transferability of content is an important criterion. Thus, standardised content description interfaces and technical interfaces are mandatory.

If these aspects are considered carefully, publishers as well as musicians will benefit. The digital content distribution does not mean that publishers or engravers will become obsolete in the future. Their knowledge on engraving music will be still needed and appreciated. Yet, publishers have to think about extending their services beyond printing music sheet. They have to think about services by which they can attract musicians. But this is already the case: Publishers are promoting the content of composers. And visibility for musicians can currently be only achieved by this service provided by publishers. In addition, even if the content is digitised, the publisher needs the service of the engravers in order to get a proper product.

In the following we describe the general steps necessary for a sheet music publisher to create and publish a sheet music from the start.

2 Use Cases

The main actors involved in the “sheet music publisher” scenario are publisher, composer, engraver, rights collecting society, and customers as shown in Table 1. In the following paragraphs we will describe in details their roles and how they interact in different use cases. The individual use cases are analysed in detail and result in the identification of MPEG-21 related issues.

Actor	Role	Brief Description	Goal	Concerns
Publisher	Primary	The publisher is responsible for publishing, marketing, distribution of content, protecting at the same time his IPR during the legal time or the time indicated in the contract.	A publisher wants to publish, distribute and sell his content according to his expert knowledge of the specific market.	sheet music for a competitive price, while maximising revenues, availability
Composer	Secondary	A creator of a work who wants his work to be published and distributed.	A composer wants effective usage (performance as well as diffusion of the content) and promotion of his work in order to increase the visibility and market value of his work and to participate in the creative market..	quality of his work, revenue streams,
Engraver	Secondary	An engraver typesets the manuscript of the composer. He edits the digital sheet music by copying it from the composer’s manuscript, using a music editor (Finale, Sibelius, Wedelmusic …).	He edits the sheet music in order to meet the Publisher’s/Customers’ and Composer’s requirements following the (commonly) accepted rules.	quality of his work, revenue streams
Rights Collecting Society	Secondary	An organisation collecting license fees on behalf of composers and publishers for certain types of usages of copyright-protected material and works.	A rights collecting society ensures that IPR is recognised (and remunerated) for each associated composer and publisher. It fights illegal use of IPR protected material (e.g. performances, copying) and returns the collected fees to the composer/publisher.	accurate monitoring of usage
Customer	Receiver	A customer buys or rents a work or rights on it. A customer can also be a performer.	Obtain the desired (quality) sheet music at “reasonable” cost and in “short” time.	reasonable costs, fast delivering, quality music sheets, availability, diversity of repertoire

2.1 Use case: “Publishing Work”

A publisher receives a work or manuscript from a composer. If the publisher accepts publishing the work several steps are necessary as shown in use case diagram in Figure 1. The publisher selects the manuscript for publication and the contract is signed. After signing the contract, the publisher initiates the process leading to printed sheet music or to a digital representation thereof. Furthermore the publisher takes care about marketing and promotion activities and informs rights collecting societies about the new piece of art.

The different actions related to the use case “publishing work” are described in Table 2. There is a time dependency between the individual activities as content has to be created before distribution or before the creation of promotional material.

USE CASE #1	Publishing Work
Goal in Context	A publisher receives a work or manuscript from a composer. The publisher decides if the received document is selected for publication or not.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publisher, secondary: Composer, Engraver, Rights Collecting Society recipient: Customer
Preconditions	composer’s work available
Success End Condition	work is published and distributed
Failed End Condition	no publication (from this publisher) available
Trigger	“Publishing Work” can be triggered by the composers or by the publisher. In the first case the composers wants his work to be published. In the second case the publisher requests a composer’s work.

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action
	#1	Publisher receives manuscript or music work in digital format or on paper. And decides to publish it. Contracts are signed.
	#2	The content is created, which involves the identification of the parts/versions. References to the individual parts are created. Meta-data are created and connected with the references. The engraver typesets the content.
	#3	Marketing and Promotion starts. For marketing and promotion the sheet music or derived work (e.g. sample pages) might be needed.
	#4	Distribution of the work includes selling and renting. The sheet music must be available.
	#5	The usage and payment of rights usage controlled and enforced by the publisher, who is supported by the rights collecting societies. For their support a notification about the new work is needed.

SUB-VARIATIONS	Step	Branching Action
	#1A	References and meta-data can be created at this step

2.2 Use case: “Manuscript Selection”

Before a publisher selects a manuscript he receives it from the musician. The manuscript can be on paper (handwritten or printed) or already in a digital file format. The publisher reviews the document and decides after the reviews.

USE CASE #2	Manuscript Selection
Goal in Context	A publisher receives a work or manuscript from a composer. The publisher decides if the received document is selected for publication or not.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publish secondary: Composer
Preconditions	Composer’s work is available
Success End Condition	Publisher accepts Composer’s work
Failed End Condition	Publisher rejects Composer’s work
Minimum Guarantees	Publisher cannot further access Composer’s work after rejection.
Trigger

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Publisher receives manuscript or music work in digital format or on paper.	Part 9 (File Format), Part 5 (REL), and Part 4 (IPMP): see sub-variations
	#2	Publisher reviews manuscript.
	#3	Publisher decides to publish.

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1A	Received music work is a manuscript in paper format. It can be handwritten or printed or formatted using a music editor.
	#1B	Received music work is in electronic format. This electronic format is typically a music notation software format.	Part 9 (File Format): The publisher can receive the digital file in a common format (see also MPEG-SMN) Part 5 (REL): The composer can assign rights to the music file. E.g. only viewing on screen, playing in MIDI or transcription but not printing is allowed for the publisher during the manuscript selection phase. Part 4 (IPMP): Ensures the enforcement of rights.
	#3A	Publisher rejects manuscript.	Part 5 (REL) and Part 4 (IPMP): enforcement of composer’s rights.

2.3 Use case: “Signing Contract”

After accepting the manuscript for publishing the publisher and the musicians negotiate about license and rights issues. After agreeing they sign a contract that allows the publisher to typeset and distribute the content.

USE CASE #3	Signing Contract
Goal in Context	The contract is signed between publisher and composer. The contract defines the publisher’s rights.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publisher, secondary: Composer
Preconditions	Publisher accepts the Composer’s work
Success End Condition	signed contract available
Failed End Condition	no signed contract available
Minimum Guarantees	Publisher cannot further access Composer’s work after rejection.
Trigger	“Signing Contract“ is triggered by (successful) manuscript selection

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Publisher and Composer negotiate about license and rights issues.	Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): The aim is a license containing the rights of the publisher expressed in REL on the basis of RDD.
	#2	Publisher and Composer agree on license and rights issues.	Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): see #1
	#3	Publisher and Composer sign the contract.	Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD) : see #1

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#2A	Publisher and Composer do not agree on license and rights issues.	Part 4 (IPMP) ensures the enforcement of rights.

2.4 Use case: “Content creation”

The publisher transfers the content to engravers (either internally or externally), who will engrave the sheet music. Additionally the publisher has to create meta-data about the content and maybe about the composer. This meta-data includes references between the meta-data and the new content as well as to already existing content.

USE CASE #4	Content creation
Goal in Context	The sheet music is engraved; references and meta-data are created and linked.
Primary, Secondary Actors	Publisher (creation of meta-data and references), Engraver
Preconditions	Contract between engraver and publisher. Contract between Publisher and Composer. Composer’s manuscript accessible.
Success End Condition	sheet music and meta-data created and referenced
Failed End Condition	sheet music or meta-data not created and not referenced
Minimum Guarantees	<how the interests of the stakeholders are protected in all circumstances>
Trigger	Publisher initiates engraving and meta-data creation process.

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Publisher transmits manuscript to engraver	Part 9 (File Format): The publisher can transmit the digital file in a common format (see also MPEG-SMN) Part 5 (REL): The publisher can assign rights to the music file. E.g. only editing but not printing is allowed for the engraver. Access rights are given only to one specific engravers or an engraving company. Part 4 (IPMP): Ensures the enforcement of rights.
	#2	Publishers creates meta-data	Part 3 (DII) and MPEG-7 enables access to existing meta-data.
	#3	Engraver engraves sheet music
	#4	Engraved sheet music is given to Publisher (together with the manuscript).	Part 9 (File Format Part 5 (REL) and Part 4 (IPMP): Allows the revocation of access rights to the engraver.
	#5	Creation of references between meta-data and sheet music.	Part 3 (DII) creation of a unique identifier.

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

2.5 Use case: “Creating and connecting references and meta-data”

Different versions of the content are prepared and connected with meta-data using references.

CASE #5	Creating and connecting references and meta-data
Goal in Context	The publisher decides, which versions/parts of the content will be published. Multiple versions/parts are possible. For each part a reference is created. This reference can be an internal ID or a common ID like the ISMN. One reference corresponds to one part (see page 2 §4). Meta-data is created. References and meta-data are connected. Meta-data is added to the parts.
Primary Actors	Publisher
Preconditions	signed contract
Success End Condition	references and meta-data for all parts/versions available and linked to each other
Failed End Condition	references or meta-data not available
Trigger	signed contract

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	identification of the versions/parts	Part 2 (DID): identification and organisation of the structure and makeup of the music work, in terms of containers, items, components and resources as defined within the DID model Part 3 (DII): unique identification of IP related to the different parts
	#2	creation of the references	Part 3 (DII): specification of unique identifiers for the music work parts (Digital Items and parts).
	#3	creation of the meta-data	Part 3 (DII): identification of description schemes.
	#4	linking of references and meta-data	Part 2 (DID): XML Schema for DIDL Part 3 (DII): a) specification of unique identifiers for the music work parts (Digital Items and parts), b) identification of description schemes

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
			Part 3 (DII): a) Relationships between the music work parts (Digital Items and parts) and existing identification systems specified within Part 3 can be used to link external references. b) Relationships between the music work parts (Digital Items and parts) and relevant description schemes specified within Part 3 can be used to link external metadata.

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#4A	references can also be external references (ISMN)	Part 2 (DID): identification and organisation of the structure and makeup of the music work, in terms of containers, items, components and resources as defined within the DID model. Part 3 (DII): unique identification of IP related to the different parts

2.6 Use case: “Engraving Work”

The engraver engraves the work he received from the publisher. The result is returned to the publisher who forwards it to the composer for reviewing. This step might be repeated until the composer is satisfied with the engraved sheet music.

USE CASE #6	Engraving Work			USE CASE #6
Goal in Context	The material is transmitted to the engraver. The engravers endeavour results in a file that is transmitted to the publisher. The publisher forwards this work to the composer. The composer proof-reads the engraver’s work. If the composer is satisfied with the result this process is finished. If the composer is not satisfied the engraver has to correct his work until the composer agrees.
Primary, Secondary Actors	Engraver
Preconditions	Contract between Publisher and Engraver, manuscript accessible
Success End Condition	Sheet Music engraved
Failed End Condition	Sheet Music not engraved
Minimum Guarantees
Trigger	Publisher (signed contract and available manuscript)
DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Engraver receives manuscript	Part 9 (File Format): The publisher can transmit the digital file in a common format (see also MPEG-SMN) Part 5 (REL): The publisher can assign rights to the music file. E.g. only editing but not printing is allowed for the engraver. Access rights are given only to one specific engravers or an engraving company. Part 4 (IPMP): Ensures the enforcement of rights.
	#2	Sheet music is engraved

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

2.7 Use case: “Marketing and Promotion”

Different marketing and promotion activities are initiated by the publisher. This includes the distribution of extracts or lower-quality products as well as sublicensing. It has to be done before the product is sold.

USE CASE #7	Marketing and Promotion			USE CASE #7
Goal in Context	The publisher promotes his titles. Promotion can include the distribution of extracts or lower-quality products. The titles can be sublicensed e.g. to CD or movie producers.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publisher, secondary: Customers
Preconditions	Contract between Publisher and Composer or Composer’s work ready for publishing (engraved, identifiers and descriptors assigned). Agreement between Publisher and Composer on grants and related compensations.
Success End Condition	Promotion activity started. Promotion material distributed to potential customers.
Failed End Condition	Promotion activity not started.
Minimum Guarantees
Trigger	Contract between Publisher and Composer.

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Publisher distributes promotional content to potential customers.	Part 9 (File Format): The publisher can transmit the digital file in a common format (see also MPEG-SMN). Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): The publisher grants limited rights to the content. E.g. only viewing for a limited period of time but not printing. Part 4 (IPMP): Ensures the enforcement of rights.
	#2	Customer buys rights on sheet music (including sub-licensing).	Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): New version of the license file is distributed representing the bought rights. Part 4 (IPMP): Ensures the enforcement of rights.

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1A	Different kinds of transmission channels (CD, email …) are possible.	Part 9 (File Format): The publisher can transmit the digital file in a common format (see also MPEG-SMN).
	#2A	Customer doesn’t buy rights on sheet music.	Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): Rights are only valid for a period of time or rights are revoked. Part 4 (IPMP): Ensures the enforcement of rights.

2.8 Use case: “Commercial Distribution”

The publisher offers the content to customers. Typically this is initiated by the customer who requests content from the publisher directly or indirectly (via intermediates, like music shops or music schools). Besides the content the publisher might also grant rights to the customers or sub-licensing the content. Content and sub-licensing contracts can be delivered in various formats and on numerous channels to the customers. The customer pays the publisher. Different payment methods are possible.

USE CASE #8	Commercial Distribution			USE CASE #8
Goal in Context	Work is sold, rented, or distributed freely.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publisher, Customers secondary: Composer
Preconditions	Composer’s work ready for publishing (engraved, identifiers and descriptors assigned). Agreement between Publisher and Composer on grants and related compensations.
Success End Condition	Publisher delivers the content/rights and gets the proper fee. Customer receives the desired content and rights/permissions.
Failed End Condition	The transaction is aborted before successful completion, usually by the initiator, i.e the Customer for considering the transaction no more convenient. Publisher doesn’t get paid and Customer doesn’t receive content/rights.
Minimum Guarantees	Laws ruling (on-line) commercial transactions apply.
Trigger	Customer’s request

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Customer requests content or rights on content.	Part 6 (RDD): The RDD specifies the terms Customers should use to ask for the rights needed.
	#2	Content is delivered to the customer.	Part 4 (IPMP): IPMP Extension walkthrough (the sequence of steps needed to consume content protected by the MPEG-n IPMP Extensions). Rights and permissions are declared according to Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD). Part 9 (File Format): format for distributing Digital Items (i.e. music works and related parts)
	#3	Payment is received.

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1A	Different customers are possible including intermediates.	Part 4 (IPMP): IPMP Extension walkthrough (the sequence of steps needed to consume content protected by the MPEG-n IPMP Extensions). Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): Rights and permissions are declared.
	#2A	Instead of delivering content rights are granted or work is sub-licensed	Part 4 (IPMP): IPMP Extension walkthrough (the sequence of steps needed to consume content protected by the MPEG-n IPMP Extensions). Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): Rights and permissions are declared.
	#2B	Content is distribution in various formats (on paper or in various digital formats)	Part 4 (IPMP): IPMP Extension walkthrough (the sequence of steps needed to consume content protected by the MPEG-n IPMP Extensions). Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): Rights and permissions are declared.
	#2C	Content is distributed on various distribution channels (download, email, or CD via mail)	Part 4 (IPMP): IPMP Extension walkthrough (the sequence of steps needed to consume content protected by the MPEG-n IPMP Extensions). Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): Rights and permissions are declared.
	#3A	Different payment methods are possible (e.g. credit card, cash, or micro payment solutions)
	#3B	Payment is not received	Part 4 (IPMP), Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): Access rights can be revoked.

2.9 Use case: “Creating Sheet Music”

The publisher prints the sheet music. As the printed sheet music is distributed it is included in the publisher’s catalogue to become visible for potential customers.

USE CASE #9	Creating Sheet Music			USE CASE #9
Goal in Context	The publisher prints the sheet music. The publisher includes the title(s) in his catalogue.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publisher
Preconditions	Composer’s work ready for publishing (engraved, identifiers and descriptors assigned). Agreement between Publisher and Composer on grants and related compensations.
Success End Condition	Printed sheet music is available for shipping.
Failed End Condition	No printed sheet music is available.
Minimum Guarantees
Trigger	Dependent on the publisher’s business model and stock policy (stock vs. print-on demand).

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Publisher prints the sheet music

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#2	Publisher stored the printed sheet music in the stock.

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1A	Distribution by download: no printed sheet music is available

2.10Use case: “Rights Collecting Societies Notification”

The publisher informs the rights collecting society about the newly created sheet music.

USE CASE #11	Rights Collecting Societies Notification			USE CASE #11
Goal in Context	Information about the work itself and related information (e.g. the composer, the recommended duration …) are transferred to the Rights Collecting Societies.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publisher secondary: Rights Collecting Society
Preconditions	Composer’s work ready for publishing (engraved, identifiers and descriptors assigned). Agreement between Publisher and Composer on grants and related compensations.
Success End Condition	New work is registered at rights collecting societies.
Failed End Condition	New work is not registered at rights collecting societies.
Minimum Guarantees
Trigger	availability of new work

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Publishers registers new work at Rights Collecting Society	Part 3 (DII): Identification of the content. Part 5 (REL) and Part 6 (RDD): Rights associated with the new content.

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

2.11Use case: “Control and Payment of Rights Usage”

The publisher - supported by the rights collecting societies – controls the usage rights and their payment.

USE CASE #10	Control and payment of usage rights			USE CASE #10
Goal in Context	After the distribution of content to the customers an important aspect is the control and payment of rights usage (e.g. number of copies). Here the publishers are supported by the rights collecting societies. Additional revenue streams, e.g. from selling or renting sheet music, licensing (e.g. CD), and royalties are often the case.
Primary, Secondary Actors	primary: Publisher and Rights Collecting Society, Composer
Preconditions	Composer’s work ready for publishing (and already distributed).
Success End Condition	Usage rights are monitored and usage is paid accordingly.
Failed End Condition	Usage of the content without required usage rights.
Minimum Guarantees
Trigger

DESCRIPTION	Step	Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1	Counting the copies sold and paid,	Part 4 (IPMP) Part 11 (PAT) Part 15 (Event Reporting)
	#2	Calculating the fees to be paid to the composer. These fees are calculated and paid directly by the publisher.
	#3	The Rights Collecting Society is responsible for the fees coming from the performances of the work

EXTENSIONS	Step	Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections
	#1.1	Control by the publisher (and he/she wishes the composer) of the list of fees each 6 months. Work omitted, work attributed to a wrong composer	Part 15 (Event Reporting)

SUB-VARIATIONS		Branching Action	MPEG-21 parts and sections

The Interactive-Music Network

The “Sheet Music Publisher” Scenario

Version: 0.9

Date: 06/09/04

Project Number: IST-2001-37168

Project Title: The Interactive-Music Network

Title: The “Sheet Music Publisher” Scenario

Working Group: WG-DIST, WG-LIB, WG-PROT

Author(s): Michel Girer (Listesso, France), Bernhard Günther (MICA, Austria), Francesco Spadoni (Rigel Engineering, Italy), Martin Schmucker (Fraunhofer-IGD, Germany)

Abstract:

This document analysis the “sheet music publisher scenario”. Relevant parts of MPEG-21 are identified, to show how sheet music publishers can benefit from MPEG-21.

Keyword List:

music, multimedia, music notation, standards, music libraries, music distribution, music publishing, scenario, sheet music publisher, use cases

[1] Nevertheless, illegal copies are a big threat to publishers.

[2] The form(s) depend(s) on the work.

The Digital Media Project
Source	Martin Schmucker
Title	The “Sheet Music Publisher” Scenario	No.	040906schmucker01

1 Scenario description