What is a Music License? / Types of Music License🤷

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is a Music License?

 

 

Music license refers to the legally

It is an agreement to use the song for a certain purpose and for a certain time.

 

 

What are the Types of Music License?

 

1.     Synchronization License (Sync License)

 

When sync license is applied, it means that music is going to be paired with some form of visual media. It has a broad range of uses, including commercials, TV shows and series, films, streaming advertisements, internal communications, YouTube videos and more.

 

In fact, when people refer to the “music license”, it usually means this synchronization license.

 

2.     Mechanical License

Mechanical License is a kind of license you need if you are going to reproduce an artist’s work into physical production such as CDs or any other tangible forms.  

It is also needed when you are recording a cover song, re-mixing a song, or changing any elements that make up the original music.  

 

3.     Master License

 

Master License are usually issued with Synchronization license since these two are closely related.

Just like sync license, master license authorizes the use of music track in audiovisual projects.

 

 

The difference between a master license and a sync license is that the sync license permits the license holder to re-record the song, while the master license is the right to the original recording of the song. The master license gives the user permission to use a pre-recorded version of a song in a visual or audio project, but does not allow a user to re-record a song for a project unlike sync license.

 

 

Sync license is usually held by the publishers, while the master license is usually held by the record companies.

 

 

4.     Public Performance License

 

 

 

This license is the one that allows the use of a music track for public broadcasting. This includes playing music in radio, television, store, discotheque, concerts, restaurants or any type of business.

 

 

Fees for public performance license are usually collected by copyright societies, also caller Performance Rights Organizations, which differs depending on the country you are in.

 

 

U.S.  – ASCAP, BMI, SESAC

U.K. – PRS, PPL

Korea – KOMCA

 

These societies collect music royalties for performance licenses from any businesses, and the distribute these royalties to the artists in turn.

 

5.     Print License

Print License is the permission to make printed copies of music scores.

 

 

Print License is also applied for using the part of lyrics and printing it out. You can easily find the case in the back of the physical CDs, where lyrics of the song printed on the back covers.

YouTube subtitles are also considered as use of print license.

 

6.     Theatrical License

This license is only used in the theatre and no where else. You need to acquire this theatrical license if you are using a song while theater performance, in the presence of an audience.

 

If you are using a specific famous song for your work, acquiring each license will be a long, tiring process and maybe you will not be allowed at all in most times. 

That is why there are alternatives in the market called “royalty-free music” that offer their “own” licenses, and allow you to use their songs in your audiovisual works including YouTube videos, TV shows, and most of the uses mentioned in this post.

 

SellBuyMusic grants a Synchronization/Master Use License, which means that you are allowed to use tracks downloaded from SellBuyMusic in your audiovisual works without infringing music copyright.

 

 

 

 

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