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The primary method artists can get money for their work is by granting legal authorization to someone who wants to utilize it. There are six distinct sorts of licenses that may be used for a variety of purposes. Synchronization license, mechanical license, master license, public performance license, print rights license, and theatrical license are all examples of this type.
In this guide, I’ll tell you how to use music licenses and for which platforms are they intended. You will also see a few real-world examples of music licensing so that you can understand how it works in practice.
Synchronization License (Sync License)
A synchronization license also called a “sync” license, allows the licensee to use your music in timed relation with other visual media, such as a film, TV show, commercial, video game, or website. Licenses are typically negotiated between music supervisors and music publishers or copyright holders. The copyright owner of the music must give permission for the music to be used in this way, and they are typically compensated with a fee.
This license is preferable for YouTube videos, podcast but it’s not covering copyrights for internet radios.
What copyrights include the sync license?
The synchronization license grants the right to use a copyrighted song in timed relation with other visual media. The copyright owner of the music must give permission for the music to be used in this way, and they are typically compensated with a fee.
The sync license does not grant the right to use a copyrighted song on its own, or in a live performance. For that, you would need a mechanical license or a public performance license, respectively.
How much does a sync license cost?
The cost of a synchronization license can vary widely, depending on factors such as the popularity of the song, the prominence of the placement, and whether the song is being used in a television show or a commercial. Generally, the fee is negotiated between music supervisors and music publishers or copyright holders.
What are the requirements for a sync license?
In order to obtain a synchronization license, you must first identify the owner of the copyright for the song you wish to use. This information is typically available through the U.S. Copyright Office or a music licensing agency such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) or Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).
Once you have located the copyright owner, you will need to obtain their permission to use the song. This is typically done by submitting a request in writing, which should include the following information:
- The name of the song you wish to use
- The name of the artist who recorded the song
- The proposed use of the song (e.g., in a television show, film, video game, commercial, etc.)
- The Territory in which the music will be used (e.g., United States, Canada, Worldwide)
- The Duration of the music usage (e.g., 1 year, 2 years, perpetuity)
- The Media in which the music will be used (e.g., television, internet, theatrical release)
After the copyright owner has reviewed your request, they will typically provide you with a synchronization license agreement. This agreement will outline the terms of your usage, including the fee that you will need to pay for the license.
You should read this agreement carefully before signing, as it will be legally binding. Once you have signed the agreement, you will be required to pay the agreed-upon fee and adhere to the terms of use.
If you have any questions about the agreement, you should consult with an attorney or music industry professional before signing.
After the copyright owner has reviewed your request, they will typically provide you with a synchronization license agreement. This agreement will outline the terms of your usage, including the fee that you will need to pay for the license.
You should read this agreement carefully before signing, as it will be legally binding. Once you have signed the agreement, you will be required to pay the agreed-upon fee and adhere to the terms of use.
If you have any questions about the agreement, you should consult with an attorney or music industry professional before signing.
Sync License Platforms
Soundstripe
Features:
- Search by mood, genre, and instrument
- Unlimited music with one flat monthly fee
- No need to reapply for a new license every time you want to use a song
Artlist
Features:
- 2,000 songs for $199 per year
- No need to reapply for a new license every time you want to use a song
Musicbed
Features:
- Over 50,000 songs to choose from
- Flexible licensing options to fit your budget
Songfreedom
Features:
- music from over 20,000 artists
- song search by mood, genre, and style
- flexible licensing options to fit your budget
These are just a few of the many music sync license platforms available. When choosing one, be sure to consider your needs and budget to find the best option for you.
Mechanical license
A mechanical license is needed whenever copyrighted music is reproduced and distributed in physical formats, like CDs or vinyl records. The copyright owner of the music must give permission for the music to be used in this way, and they are typically compensated with royalty for each copy that is made.
What copyrights include the Mechanical license?
The right to reproduce the copyrighted composition in “tangible” or material form. A CD pressing plant would need a mechanical license for each album it pressed, even if the music on that album was in the public domain.
How much does a Mechanical license cost?
The royalty rate is set by the Harry Fox Agency in the US, which licenses music on behalf of music publishers. The current rate is 9.1 cents per song per unit sold, but this rate is subject to change.
What are the requirements for a Mechanical license?
In order to obtain a mechanical license, you must send a notice of intent to the copyright owner or their agent. This notice must include:
- The name of the copyright owner
- The title of the song
- Your name and address
- The number of copies you intend to make
You can find this information by doing a copyright search or contacting the music publisher directly.
You can find more information about mechanical licenses, as well as templates for the notice of intent, on the US Copyright Office website.
Mechanical license Platforms
Ditto Music
Features:
- Global music distribution to over 150 stores
- One-time fee of $19.99 per single
- Royalty collection and music publishing administration
TuneCore
Features:
- music distributed to over 150 stores worldwide
- pricing starts at $9.99 per single
- music publishing administration services
CD Baby
Features:
- music distribution to over 150 stores worldwide
- one-time fee of $49 per single
- music publishing administration services
Master License
A master license is needed whenever copyrighted music is used in a recording, like an album or single. The copyright owner of the music must give permission for the music to be used in this way, and they are typically compensated with royalty for each copy that is sold.
A master license is needed whenever the original recording of a copyrighted song is used. This could be for a TV show, movie, video game, or any other type of project. The copyright owner of the master recording must give permission for it to be used, and they are typically compensated with royalty for each copy that is sold.
What is the difference between a master license and a mechanical license?
A master license is needed for the use of the actual recording of a song, while a mechanical license is needed for the use of the underlying composition of a song. For example, if you wanted to use Adele’s recording of “Hello” in your film, you would need a master license from her record label. But if you wanted to use a different recording of the song, like one by a cover artist, you would just need a mechanical license.
Public performance license
A public performance license is needed whenever copyrighted music is performed in public, like at a concert or on the radio. The copyright owner of the music must give permission for the music to be used in this way, and they are typically compensated with royalty for each performance.
The performing rights organizations (PROs) are largely in charge of public performance licenses, which they issue based on payment of access to their collection. It’s more likely that this payment will be an annual subscription. This money is then paid out to the performers in the PRO’s catalog.
- In the United States, ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC
- In Canada, SOSAC
- In the United Kingdom, PRS and PPL
- In Australia, APRA AMCOS
- In Spain, SGAE
- In Latin America, ACEMLA
What copyrights include the Public performance license?
The right to perform the copyrighted work publicly. A public performance can be a live performance, like a concert, or it can be a broadcast, like on the radio or television.
How much does a Public performance license cost?
The royalty rate is set by the performing rights organizations in the US, which licenses music on behalf of music publishers. The current rate is $0.091 per performance, but this rate is subject to change.
Examples of music usage that require a public performance license:
- TV and radio commercials
- Live performances of copyrighted music, like at a concert or festival
- Music streaming platforms, like Spotify or Pandora
- Background music services, like Muzak
Print rights license
A print rights license is needed whenever copyrighted music is reproduced in print, like in a music book or on sheet music. The copyright owner of the music must give permission for the music to be used in this way, and they are typically compensated with royalty for each copy that is made.
Creative Commons license
This license was created for intellectual property and the internet’s ability in earlier years to grant access to anyone who wanted to download a book, song, or movie. Many people who attempted this did express interest in paying artists directly for their work.
By donating their intellectual property rights, creators using Creative Commons are able to allow access to their work to a wider audience. This is similar in nature to public domain works. However, unlike public domain status, the creator still has some say in how and when their work can be used by others.
Almost all Creative Commons licenses require attribution, and they are frequently rife with ambiguous conditions and contracts. Perhaps you come across a fantastic music track licensed under a Creative Commons license and decide to incorporate it in your monetized YouTube video. In the video’s or description box, you credit the composer of the song.
Creative Commons is a great resource for music, but it’s easy to make legal errors without realizing it. For example, you might not first ask permission to the music owner or use the track for a commercial purpose, not realizing the terms only covered private use. The Creative Commons library of music is also sparse compared to royalty-free.
Blanket license
A blanket license, similar to a public performance license, is issued by a PRO in order to grant access to their entire catalog. This type of license can also be issued by mechanical rights societies. The requesting entity will sign a contract with the PROs or other rights holders in order to gain access to the catalog for a set price.
If you’re a business that plays music, you need to obtain a blanket license in order to do so legally. A blanket license is a single license that covers you for playing any song in your repertoire. You can obtain a blanket license from performing rights organizations like BMI or ASCAP.
The cost of a blanket license depends on factors like the size of your business, how often you play music, and the geographical region in which your business is located. In the United States, the cost of a blanket license from BMI ranges from $500 to $30,000 per year.
While the upfront cost of a blanket license may be significant, it can save you money in the long run by avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining licenses for each individual song you want to play. Plus, with a blanket license in hand, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re in compliance with the law.
Theatrical license
A theatrical license is needed whenever copyrighted music is used in a live stage production, like a musical or opera. The copyright owner of the music must give permission for the music to be used in this way, and they are typically compensated with royalty for each performance.
Using music without obtaining the proper licenses can result in legal penalties, so it’s important to make sure you have the right permissions in place before using any copyrighted music.
Statutory License
A statutory license is a mandatory license that gives you the right to use property according to the law of your country. Online broadcasts are classified as “non-interactive”, meaning they come under a statutory license that covers pre-programmed shows where listeners can’t choose their own music or decide what order it’s played in.
Statutory licenses don’t apply to UK broadcasters but do apply to those in the USA and other broadcasting countries.
In the USA, there are two types of statutory licenses. One is for music reproduction, which is called a “mechanical license”. The other is for public performance, which is called a “performance royalty”.
You do not need to get permission from the copyright owner to use a work under a statutory license, but you do need to pay royalties. In the USA, these are set by Congress and collected by performing rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI.
In the UK, there is no statutory license for music reproduction, but there is one for public performance. This is called a “PPL blanket license”. You do not need to get permission from the copyright owner to use a work under a PPL blanket license, but you do need to pay royalties. These are set by PPL and collected by them on behalf of the copyright owners.
The statutory license is a provision in the Copyright Act that allows certain individuals to use copyrighted material without obtaining permission from the copyright holder. This license is typically used by musicians who want to cover a song or create a parody. To qualify for the statutory license, you must meet certain requirements set forth in the Copyright Act. For example, you must use the work for a noncommercial purpose and you must not alter the original work in any way. Additionally, you must make your cover version or parody available to the public on a reasonable basis. If you comply with these requirements, you will not be liable for copyright infringement.
Royalty-Free Music
Normally, copyrighted works are protected and cannot be utilized without the permission of the copyright holder. Royalties are usually a percentage of profits or periodic payments made to a creator or intellectual property owner.
A form of intellectual property that you’re authorized to utilize without having to pay royalties is referred to as royalty-free. In order for anybody to utilize it in this manner, the intellectual property owner must specifically label their material with this term. A one-time payment may be made by a business or individual in some situations enabling them to use an image or other piece of content.
If you don’t select music that is royalty-free, you either need to pay the composer royalties or face potential legal action for using copyrighted content without permission and/or payment. Thus, opting for items with the royalty-free tag can help save money while also ensuring that intellectual property law isn’t being violated.
“Royalty-free” means that you won’t have to pay any additional fees beyond the initial license when you use music or media. When you go through a royalty-free company, they will take care of paying the creators on your behalf. Even though you’re not incurring the cost, somebody still has to foot the bill — hence why it’s not actually “free.”
This is more cost-effective in general and can be especially so if you get a lifetime song license. Let’s break this down even further.
You can use royalty-free music only after you’ve licensed the music. It’s a common false belief that instrumental songs are public domain and not in need of licensing, but this often isn’t the case. While there are some tracks available via the public domain, most songs have copyright holders — which include royalty-free companies.
This means that if you want to use royalty-free instrumentals for a commercial project, you’ll still need to secure appropriate licensing rights first.
Many people believe that “royalty-free” and “copyright-free” music means that the music is free of charge, but this isn’t the case. However, when you license this type of music, you no longer have to pay royalties or licensing fees.
Copyright-free means that the music is not owned by anyone or the owner is not claiming copyright. By choosing not to enforce it, they are stating they won’t direct copyright infringement claims at anyone who uses it. In most cases, the original copyright only lasts for a limited amount of time — that duration is 95 years on average, but it could be as few as 70 years or as many as 120 depending on the circumstances around
the specific work.
So, yeah, you may have discovered this on your own already, but locating music files that are unowned and have zero copyrights is pretty unusual.
A mistake that many individuals make is believing that a track labeled royalty-free implies it’s free to use. That isn’t correct! In order to acquire the license to utilize it, the music must be paid for.
Although we threw both terms together, we do want to make a clear distinction that copyright-free has no copyright, and royalty-free means the music does have copyright.
A copyright-free song is a unicorn, making it difficult to locate genuinely copyright-free music. Even songs with a Creative Commons license have some sort of copyright protection.
Another variant of the theme is stock music, which is frequently referred to as royalty-free music. This isn’t correct. Stock music may be included, but it isn’t always free of royalties.
Before we get into why Soundstripe is going to make your life easier, let’s talk about one more topic concerning royalty-free music: those small nuggets of information.
Public Domain
Music that is in the public domain is often referred to as “public domain music.” Music published before 1923 or any music specifically released by the creator as public domain is considered to be in the public domain. There aren’t many options for public domain music that is appropriate for modern songs, much like there isn’t a lot of copyright-free music available.
Public domain music is any music that is not copyrighted. This means that the music is free to use and distribute without permission from the copyright holder. Public domain music can be a great resource for musicians and music lovers alike. There are many websites that offer public domain music, so you can find a wide variety of music to suit your taste.
Internet Radio License
The first license you’ll need is a public performance license from the performing rights organization (PRO) associated with the country you’re broadcasting in. In the US, this would be ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. In Canada, it would be SOCAN. These licenses allow you to play copyrighted music on your internet radio station.
Next, you’ll need a streaming license from the company that owns the copyright to the sound recordings of the songs you want to play. In the US, this is usually SoundExchange. In Canada, it’s CMRRA. These licenses cover the right to stream sound recordings of copyrighted songs over the internet.
Finally, if you’re going to be playing music videos on your internet radio station, you’ll need a synchronization license from the copyright holder of the video. This will allow you to synchronize the video with your audio broadcast.
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