recording with the film, commercial, etc. A synchronization royalty is paid to the song-
writer and publishers for use as background music.
- Master Use Rights
When a potential licensee wants to use a pre-recorded version of your song for their
visual project, as mentioned, in synchronization rights, they must obtain master use
rights, in addition to synchronization rights. Master use rights are usually obtained from
the record label. But if you’re an indie artist, you or your representative may grant them.
It’s important to note that a master license only covers one tune at a time. So, if someone
wants to use every song on one of your albums, they must purchase a master license for
each song.
- Performing Rights
A performance rights license allow a song to be performed either live or via broad-
cast, such as radio. Usually, these rights come as a “blanket license,” meaning the li-
censee is granted the right to play a particular Performing Rights Organization’s (PRO)
entire collection for a set fee. PROs are companies such as BMI and ASCAP. Plays are
tracked and royalties are paid to the writer and publisher.
- Mechanical Rights
A mechanical license is an often-required permission, or license, that allows the li-
censee to work with, study, improve upon, reinterpret, re-record, etc. a song that is pro-
tected by copyright. In other words, it’s not in the public domain.
The holder of the license is allowed to create copies of a recorded tune that they nei-
ther wrote nor have rights of ownership. Simply put, the copyright holder grants the right
to the licensee to reproduce the original recording. Mechanical rights are typically in-