The right to use copyrighted music in any form means anyone that will receive income or other benefits from the use of the music has to pay for a license. The license allows a limited type of use of the music as specified by the licensing. It can seem confusing, but the process ensures the owners of the original piece receive money for their work.

Know the Licenses

Theatrical licenses allow people to perform the work of other artists in a theatrical performance, and public performance licenses give permission for all other public performances of copyrighted work. Music in printed form like song sheets, books, or other printed media requires a print right license. A mechanical license allows someone to record another artist’s work and distribute it commercially. Mechanical and sync licenses protect the ownership of the song by the artists when their music is used in combination with any type of visual media for advertising, movies, and more.

Understand License Acquisition

It is important to know who owns the rights to a song to obtain a license. Many compositions have more than one owner. The composer, lyricist, and performer could be one entity or multiple people. All owners must agree before a license is obtainable. The use of the music must stay in the limits of what the license allows. The details of the license also explain how the artists receive payment. Some licensing includes a single payment and others are pay-per-use contracts. Some projects may need more than one license to legally complete.

Earn a Living

There are ways for people that do not create music to earn a living with Music Licensing. Accountants, legal teams, and sales and management experts all play roles in the music industry. The people in these positions oversee the disbursement of licenses and how they are used. Some teams represent one artist, others work for recording or film studios, and many others work with the people obtaining the licenses.

Copyrights and legal contracts for music usage help to protect artists. The people involved in licensing value the efforts of songwriters, composers, and performers. Licensing may seem confusing or time-consuming, but it is how the industry stays profitable for the creators and allows them to continue their work.