In a significant step for the music industry, sound recordings were granted federal copyright protection in the United States, a change codified in the 1971 amendment to the Copyright Act. Prior to this amendment, audio recordings were not explicitly protected under U.S. copyright law, making it challenging for artists and producers to prevent unauthorized use of their works. The amendment aimed to provide a legal framework that recognized the importance of sound recordings, reflecting the increased prominence of recorded music in popular culture and commerce. With this new protection, artists, producers, and record labels could more effectively secure their rights, allowing them to license and profit from their creations more efficiently. This change was also influenced by advances in recording technology and the burgeoning market for phonorecords, which had been rapidly expanding since the mid-20th century.

The amendment allowed for distinct rights related to the reproduction and distribution of recorded music, fundamentally changing the landscape of the music industry. It paved the way for greater enforcement of rights against unauthorized reproductions and performances. Artists began to gain the ability to negotiate better contracts and royalties, thus enhancing their livelihoods. The recognition of sound recordings as intellectual property marked a turning point in the treatment of artists and their creative outputs, echoing the broader trends of the 1970s towards individual rights and protections.