Music Release
"In the music industry, a release is usually the event at which an album or single is first released for sale. Also an album launch, or single launch. The word can also refer to creative output from an artist; a broad term covering the many different formats music can be released in, and different forms of pieces (singles, albums, eps etc)."1
"A film release is the stage at which a completed film is legally authorized by its owner for public distribution.
The process includes locating a distributor to handle the film. For example, a film may be shown at a film festival or tradeshow in order to attract distributor attention, and if successful in that regard, may then be released through the distributor best meeting the owner's requirements and expectations for a profitable handling of the film, following a period of negotiation leading to a release contract.
The term "release" is sometimes confused with "distribution" because major studios distributed their own product and the separate legal step involved to formally release a film was simply a paper formality, not noticeable to the general public. Casually languaged major trade journals, such as Variety, have added to the confusion by using the terms interchangeably. The existence of the separate release process is usually most noticeable as regards foreign films, where an export and/or import company act to "release" the film for the production company of one country to a distributor in another, which may involve adding subtitles and preparing advertising compatible with the country in which a distributor is sought."2
"A news release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. Typically, it is mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to assignment editors at newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations, and/or television networks. Commercial press-release distribution services are also used to distribute news releases. Sometimes news releases are sent for the purpose of announcing news conferences."3
"A legal release is a legal instrument that acts to terminate any legal liability between the releasor and the releasee(s) signed by the releasor. A release may also be made orally in some circumstances. Releases are routinely used by photographers, in film production, by documentary filmmakers, or by radio and music producers when they photograph, film, video or record the voice or performance of individuals to be sure that the person consents or will not later object to the material being used for whatever purpose the releasee (or anyone they may assign the release rights to) wishes, i.e. that the releasee wishes to use the images, sounds or any other rendering that is a result of the recording made of the releasor (or property owned by the releasor for which the releasor may claim some other right such as industrial design rights, trademark or trade dress rights). This will help in insuring the copyright owner has a clean chain of title for any work if it is later published, broadcast, shown in a public cinema or otherwise made public."4
Film Release
Press Release
Legal Release
1 - Music release. (2006, July 2). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:36, November 13, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Music_release&oldid=61755227
2 - Film release. (2007, September 1). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:33, November 13, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Film_release&oldid=155078603
3 - News release. (2007, September 26). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:35, November 13, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=News_release&oldid=160389809
4 - Legal release. (2007, July 15). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:31, November 13, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Legal_release&oldid=144796789