Getting Permission to Synchronize Music-Part 1


Whether you're a big time filmmaker, a podcaster, or a post house working on a training video, securing a proper synchronization license can be a very lengthy and involved process, or a fairly simple process, depending on the route you take.

Essentially, if you are asking permission to synchronize music with your production you will need to deal with either the composer or the publisher who represents their work as well as the owner of the master recordings. Sometimes there are multiple people and organizations that need to get involved. This is when music licensing becomes involved. Sometimes a single person or entity has the power to grant you a sync license, which is when the process becomes much more simple. Because there is no standard for pricing a sync license, some publishers and artists will be easy to work with, and some will want to break the bank. Much of this depends on what type of production you will be synchronizing music with, and what kind of exposure it will have.

Lets start with a simple definition of what a synchronization license, or sync license is. A synchronization license (sync license) a music license that grants the licensee the right to synchronize music in timed relation within an audio or video production. This could include (but is not limited to) movies, television shows, training videos, advertisements, promotional videos, multi media presentations, animations, video games, trade shows, and much more.

Do I need a Synchronization License?

Before delving into the details of obtaining a sync license, I should point out that there are a few occasions where you do not need to acquire a license to synchronize music. If the composition you are wanting to sync with your production is in the public domain, you won't need a sync license from the composer or publisher of the work. Public domain music (in the United States) can be loosely defined as music and/or lyrics that have been published in 1922 or prior. There are exceptions to this rule in the U.S., and worldwide, however proper advice from an attorney or music clearance agency would be advised.

Just because you don't need a synchronization license from the composer or publisher does not mean that you can synchronize any recording that you like, because recordings are protected by copyright law as well. If you are using a copyrighted recording of a public domain song, you will need a sync license from the owner of that particular recording. On the flip side, if you create your own recording of a copyright protected song, let's say a Beatles tune, you would only need a sync license from the publisher who represents the work. You would not need a separate sync license for the recording.

Public domain aside, if you want to synchronize music that is not your own property with your production, you will need a sync license that grants you the right to use the song AND the recording.

-continuted in Getting Permission to Synchronize Music Part 2