A copyright music license contract is a document that contains the agreement of the licensee and the licensor about copyright of a song or music. The licensee is the company who is going to buy the music and will have the right to sell the music. The licensor is the musician who created the music and the one who is going to sell the rights to the licensor. A copyright music license contract is the giving of rights to the licensee to legally operate on using the music in any possible endeavors. They can use it in films and videos. They can sell and distribute it to the public. The act of buying is a respect to the intellectual property of the musician. The musician will be paid an agreed-upon royalty that can prove that he or she is the rightful owner of the music. The talent of a music artist is greatly needed by any producer who needs music in their films and videos. Music enhances any film. It makes it more alive for the audience. The artist’s musical talent is needed in many media as a result. Without music, their projects can be dull so the by-products of musicians are a must to be bought. And to be able to use the musicians’ music, producers must pay them a certain amount for the copyright and some royalties to continually respect their rights. After paying musicians, producers can have the record label for the music. They are free to use the music in many things, according to whatever they have agreed upon in the music license agreement. Whether it is a non-exclusive beat license or an exclusive licensing agreement, any form in licensing gives the rightful use to the licensee to reproduce the music and use it in public, also following the agreement. It is a simple but meaningful contract, to sell music to a party that will use it in their business.

There are copyright guidelines and resources. A copyright music license contract has elements that make it complete. There is a copyrighted format for music that can be followed. Read the following and learn some of the elements of a copyright music license contract:

Payment and Royalty

This is the price that the licensee has to pay the licensor. They should agree for a particular price to be paid to the licensor. They should also negotiate about the royalty or the continuous payment that a licensor can get from the licensee. In coming into an agreed price, they should both consider inflation and the exchange rates to come up with the right price for the music.

Exclusive Rights

The licensee can sell the music, but some restrictions have to be set. The licensor can limit the selling of the music in a particular territory. They should agree about that limitation or exclusivity. If the licensor can only sell the music in a particular country, the licensee should be definite in the contract. The licensee should state the places where he or she can give the right to the licensor.

Subsidiary Licensing

If another entity will use the song, the licensor should ask the permission of the licensee. This is called subsidiary licensing. There may be a time that another person should use the song. It will not be possible unless the licensee permits that person to use the music.

Quality Check

Quality assurance should be given in using the licensed music. The music must be utilized in the right way. The licensee must ensure this thing. Quality checks should be done and the licensor must keep track of all the sales.

Other Agreements

There can be other agreements that can be added to the contract. Sometimes, parties may want a non-disclosure agreement to maintain confidentiality with their dealing. Other agreements may be used so that both parties can make the most out of their agreement.

Types of Music Licenses

Whether you are going to engage in a music video license agreement or just considering a recording contract template, you may want to know the type of music licenses so that you will know how to deal with the party with whom you will have the agreement. Consider the following and know the types of music licenses:

Public Performance Music License: This is the most common type of music license. There may be a limitation to performance but this is a license when the music of the musician is being broadcasted. Some of the examples are when the music is played in a store or jukeboxes, anywhere where there can be a public performance. This includes concerts. This public performance music license is managed by performing rights organizations (PROs). They give royalties to the musician every time they use the music.Theatrical Music License: This happens when the music is used in the theater industry. The musicians will permit to use their music in the theater. The theater will have copyright when they perform on stage and use the music. We know that theaters do not work unless the play is accompanied by music sometimes. So, buying the copyright is a must for theaters.Prints Right Music License: When musicians sell the copyright of a sheet of music that they have made, it is called prints right music license. The selling is made by compilations and the music can be reproduced. They can agree to the number of copies that will be reproduced or the licensor may have the whole right to always reproduce the music. It is up to the licensee what terms he or she can agree upon.Mechanical Music License: Whenever the music is physically reproduced, a mechanical music license is made. It happens when CDs are manufactured and distributed to the public. It is the type of licensing that we usually know about. The artist is paid per copy or will have payment according to the number of copies that are reproduced. As a copyright holder, he or she has the right to record labels and on giving the rights to distributors and producers.Synchronization Music License: When you represent the musician, you are doing synchronization music licensing or sync licensing. It is done when you pair the music with any visual media. Some of the examples are the music used in commercials, streaming advertisements, and others.Master Music License: A master license is a complex type of music license. It is compared to sync license but it is broader. When you will have the right in recording a song, this is called a master right. This permits for a pre-recorded version of a song that can be used in any project. Though, you will not be allowed to re-record the song.

Do you need a music licensing contract template or a simple music license agreement template? Are you needing it because you want to have some tips that you can use in creating a contract? You do not have to look further. We have provided some tips for you that you can use. They are the following:

Hire a Lawyer: If you are going to enter into a copyright music license contract, you should consider getting a lawyer for yourself. Hire a lawyer who specializes in contracts. The lawyer can help you to have the best contract that can adhere to all legal matters. You will know all your rights and you can apply them in the agreement. Many lawyers can be hired. You will not be sorry for it. You will be confident that you can have a good contract ahead of you.Understand the Contract: You should have a full understanding of the contract. Before you make yourself sign it, be sure that you are perfectly aware of everything that is written in it. You have to be sure that you agree on anything. Check the contract before signing to be sure that it contains the terms that you are expecting to have and to be sure that you can comply with everything. It is better to be careful than to be sorry afterward. So, be sure that you have a complete understanding of the contract before you will sign it.Consider Government Regulations: Remember that in your contract, you have to adhere to the rules and regulations of the government. Check the applicable laws in your state so that you can comply with all of them in the contract. You have to know that you need to follow all the regulations. You need to know the regulations so that you can advise the other party of the things that both of you should do. You have to make your contract according to all the laws. It is a binding document so make sure that it adheres to the government’s regulations.Make Sure of the Credits: When having a contract with a licensor, be sure that you will get enough credit from the contract. Know how you will split revenues. You have to get the royalty that you deserve. Before entering the contract, you need to discuss with the licensor the royalty that he or she can give you. You have to agree first with the offer. You cannot enter a contract where you know that you will not get enough royalty. Name your price so you will not be sorry for your decision to give the copyright to the licensor. Make sure that you will be getting the right credits.Ensure That Your Name Will Be Published: You cannot sell your copyright and then not get your name to be published with your music. You have to ascertain that your name will be published when the licensor sells your music. It is your creation. You have the right to that thing. No licensor will have the copyright of a song if he or she will not recognize the name of the musician. Be sure about this thing. You have a right to bring the case into a court of law if the licensor will forget to put your name with the music. Unless you will permit the licensor to do so, your name should be written with your music.Work with Performance Rights Organization: PRO or performance rights organization has connections in radio stations, clubs, and websites. It can help you get royalties from your music. Register in an organization so that you will have a better chance to get more money from your craft. It can truly help you and you can see it if you will try working with a PRO. It can bring a good amount of income from your music.

Do you want to have a copyright of music? Are you out of ways on how you can do it? We have some steps that you can follow for you to have a copyright. Read the following:

  • Step 1: Determine the Status of the Song

    If you want to have a copyright of certain music, you should research it. Know if it has already been copyrighted. If a song is popular, maybe it has already had copyright. So, you should research how you can have your copyright. Know the details of the licensee so that you will know how to contact him or her. After contacting the licensee, start negotiating.

  • Step 2: Have an Agreement with the Artist

    You should negotiate with the artist. Know the terms that the artist wants for the copyright. Start a good relationship with the artist. You will be together working for a long time because of royalties. Be courteous with the artist so that you can make him or her grant you the copyright. Show your sincere interest to make his or her music famous.

  • Step 3: Negotiate the Price

    Offer a good price for the copyright that you will have from the licensee. Another thing is the royalty. Offer a good amount or percentage of royalty, so that you can get the approval of selling the music. If the price is right, there will be no reason for the licensee not to give you the rights. If you cannot make the licensee agree with your offered price, know his or her price, and consider that amount. Remember that you can profit from his or her music, so you can consider the price that the licensee will request. The licensee is the owner of the music after all.

  • Step 4: Sign the Contract

    After the two of you have agreed to all the terms, you can start drafting the contract. Hire a lawyer to get a consultation about the contract. If the lawyer approves the contract, then get the contract written. Then when it is made, you and the licensee should sign the contract. After that, you will have the right to sell the artist’s music.

FAQs

The work to be copyrighted should be original. There should be no violation of the contract because it can be brought into a court of law. If the artist will die, the copyright will last for 70 years.

You can have a record of your copyright through registering. You can go to court if infringement will happen in the copyright.

The licensor can get a lot of profit from having copyright certain music. He or she just has to convince the licensee to give the permission. And of course, to make the licensee sign in a copyright music license contract. And the licensor can reproduce and use the music in a lot of ways. Do you need a template for a copyright music license contract? This post has 9+ SAMPLE Copyright Music Licence Contract in PDF. They are free and downloadable. Download now!