When a musician creates an original work and registers its copyright, that song becomes their intellectual property. Legally, this property cannot be used by anyone other than the copyright owner without their written consent. To monetize their work, artists and copyright owners can issue licenses that allow others to legally use their music in various projects. These music licenses detail the usage rights and terms, specifying how the song can be used.

Here are the six major types of music licenses, along with examples of their applications:

1. Synchronization Music Licenses (Sync License)

What is Sync Music Licensing?

Sync music licensing, or synchronization licensing, refers to the process of pairing music with visual media. This type of licensing is necessary when a song is used in films, commercials, TV shows, video games, and other visual media formats. Sync licenses cover a broad range of uses, and platforms like Vibespot Music specialize in representing musicians and composers for this purpose.

What is Sync for Music?

Sync for music involves the integration of a song with visual elements. This could be in a commercial, a movie scene, a TV show background, or any form of visual content where music enhances the storytelling or emotional impact.

How Do I Submit Music to Sync Licensing?

To submit music for sync licensing, you can follow these steps:

1. Find the Right Platform: Use services like Vibespot Music, which focus on sync licensing.
2. Prepare Your Music: Ensure your tracks are professionally recorded and mixed.
3. Submit Your Music: Follow the submission guidelines of the platform or agency you choose. This often involves uploading your tracks, providing metadata, and sometimes submitting through a form or email.
4. Promote Your Music: Engage with the platform, build relationships, and consistently promote your music to increase your chances of being selected for sync opportunities.

2. Mechanical License

A mechanical license is necessary for any physical reproduction of an artist’s work. This commonly refers to manufacturing CDs or distributing music in any tangible form. Artists (copyright holders) enter agreements with record labels, distributors, and publishers regarding the mechanical terms of their music, and they are generally compensated per-copy.

A mechanical license is also required if you plan to record a cover song, even if you use only a portion of the original song. This includes adding your own lyrics, remixing, or altering the original recording in any way that affects the overall integrity of the artist’s composition. You can obtain a mechanical license for most songs by searching the Harry Fox Agency database or contacting the artist directly.

3. Master License

Master licenses are a bit more complex. They are similar to sync licenses but not as broad in scope. A master right is held by the person who owns the recording of a song, usually either the artist or their record label. The master license grants permission to use a pre-recorded version of a song in a visual or audio project but does not allow the user to re-record the song for a project (e.g., cover or edit the song). Generally, a master license is issued in conjunction with a sync license.

4. Public Performance License

The public performance license is perhaps the most common form of music license issued today. Despite the term ‘performance,’ it broadly applies to any broadcast of an artist’s work in a public space. This includes businesses playing music in their stores, jukeboxes, TVs in bars, and live concerts. Performing rights organizations (PROs) such as BMI, SESAC, and ASCAP manage public performance licenses and issue royalties to artists on a per-use basis.

5. Print Rights License

This license pertains to the physical reproduction of the sheet music that an artist has created. It is required when someone prints a sheet music compilation or any time the sheet music of copyrighted work is reproduced.

6. Theatrical License

The theatrical license is a very specific form of written permission, commonly used in the theater industry. This license is required any time a copyrighted work is performed on stage in front of an audience.

What Are the Two Sides of Music Licensing?

Music licensing involves two primary sides:

1. The Rights Holder: This is typically the artist, composer, or their record label and publisher who own the copyrights to the music.
2. The Licensee: This is the individual or entity seeking to use the music, such as a filmmaker, advertiser, or business.

By understanding these six types of music licenses, musicians and those wishing to use copyrighted music can navigate the legalities involved and ensure they are using music in compliance with copyright laws.