Thirty women composers and performers from Spain gathered at the Monastery of Uclés from October 13 to 16, 2026 for a four-day workshop to kick-off WIPO’s newest pilot intellectual property (IP) cooperation project titled “Women, IP and Music”. The project, which is jointly implemented with the Ministry of Culture and of Spain, aims to empower women musicians across Spain with IP knowledge and skills for income generation and a sustainable music career.
The workshop was delivered in Spanish and covered topics such as:
- rights management (including image rights),
- contract negotiations,
- career development,
- alternative sources of income such as merchandising, and
- contemporary challenges including streaming renumeration and generative artificial intelligence (AI).
A core feature of the four days was networking where musicians were matched with composers and discussed legal guidance with experts. At the end of the workshop, all musicians collaborated on a Spotify playlist and joint song which they performed together.
Following the immersive training at the Monastery, participants will take part in a five-week mentorship with established Spanish artists. Three mentors will each lead a group of ten, bringing together composers and singers to create an original work and learn by doing through negotiating rights and registering the work. The results will be showcased at the Ola que No Cesa Congress, an event for women in music held in Madrid at the end of November 2026.
What the participants are saying?
Being surrounded by women artists in a unique environment, with exceptional training on fundamental IP issues, has helped me reconnect with myself from a place that is deeply shared by other women. I have come to understand that we are not alone, and that we need more spaces to come together and discover one another. This program has exceeded my expectations. I feel very fortunate to be part of this new network. - Yanira Castro Moro, Musician, Spain
Taking part in this project has truly been a turning point in my professional and personal life. Becoming aware of how important it is to manage and protect our rights, and getting to know all the artists and professionals involved, was exactly what I needed in order to start valuing my own work more. I would encourage all women to come together more often in co-creation spaces, and above all, to educate and empower themselves, so they can recognize their rights and, consequently, their own great worth! - Cristina Antón, Director of Party Family Festival of Arts and Innovation, Spain
For me, taking part in the "Women, IP and Music" program has been a truly enriching experience. It has helped me gain a better understanding of how the industry works and, above all, to review all those tools that protect my work and give it the value it deserves. It has also been wonderful to share this space with other women and to learn from their experiences. I believe it's important that we support one another, that we know our rights, and that we take up more space in music. - Eva Calyza, Songwriter and musician, Spain
When I was selected from among so many candidates to take part in this program, I knew it would be an opportunity. What I didn't imagine was just how much it would change the way I understand my career. I have been performing on stage for years, but the program gave me what experience alone cannot: the roadmap. I came away knowing what rights belong to me. I learned to spot the warning signs in a contract, to understand how collective management works, and to see my work not only as an artistic creation but also as an asset I need to protect. This is knowledge I am already applying to my professional decisions. The best way to learn about intellectual property is to have something of your own to protect. - Alba Santos, Singer, songwriter and producer, Spain.
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