8 Music Licensing Terms a Songwriter Should Know
I talk to a lot of songwriters who want to get their songs into film, t.v. and ads. Often the actual terminology can really trip you up! In order to work in this space and be successful, it is such an advantage to know the language of the music business.
I wanted to do this post to share some of the “buzz words” and terms that might help you learn quickly. Quick tip: memorize and understand these definitions and refer back if you forget.
Drum roll please…….
8 Music Licensing Terms A Songwriter Should Know
1. MUSIC SUPERVISOR: This is the person or people who are tasked with finding music for film and television projects. They are hired by the networks and production companies. In the ad world, they might be called a "music supervisor" or "music producer". These are the people to know if you want to be considered in projects for film/.t.v and multi-media.
2. SYNC LICENSE: A license is a contract or agreement which allows a person or company to use your music, ideally in return for a fee.(but sometimes not). In the latter scenario you would receive your money from a performing rights organization on the “back end”. (see further down this list for what that means)
3. CUE: The name for a track that gets synched with a visual.
4. MUSIC LIBRARY: Essentially a publishing company, usually with some online portal, offering music for licensing. There are some which offer exclusive licenses and some that offer non-exclusive, or a combo.
5. EXCLUSIVE/NON-EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT: When offering your music for licensing through a music library or publisher, an exclusive deal is one where only one company represents your song/s to film, T.V. and advertising.
When offering your music for licensing through a music library or publisher, a non-exclusive deal is one where multiple companies can represent your song to film and T.V. projects. In order to differentiate a placement , since there are multiple companies representing the same song , the companies will re-title and re-register your tracks (with the new name) with your Performing Rights Organization.
6. BACK END MONEY: This is the money which comes AFTER you have synched your track to a visual. Back end monies are collected by your Performing Rights Organization (with whom you must be a registered member) from the networks and production companies.
7. CLEARED: This is what your song becomes when you have received permission from all of your co- writers, publishers ,musicians and samples to make the song available to be used in film, T.V. and advertising. Just think of it as permissions.
8. P.R.O. This is the short term for “performance right organization “which collects your performance money and pays you after the fact for any monies you’ve earned. Performance money is essentially any time your music is seen along with a visual in film, t.v. and other multi-media. You can only be registered with one. P.R.O and they must be the one offered in whatever country you live in. For example, the U.S. has three to choose from. In other countries there might be one or more, but at least one.
You can also use all of the above as a quick checklist to make sure you have your music organized and your clearances completed! As you navigate the music business space, your confidence will grow knowing the correct terminology.
Are you curious about any other music business terms or need additional clarification? Drop a note below - I am certain there are more of us who will have the same questions!
As a friend of mine often says, “Just rest. Don’t quit.”
-Diona