What should I look for in a licensing agreement?

Here are 10 points to address in any licensing agreement:

• Exclusive or non-exclusive. In an exclusive license, the intellectual property holder is licensing the work only to one person, for that particular use/territory.
• Territory.
• Use.
• Attribution.
• Derivative works.
• Confidentiality.
• Time frame.
• Termination.

What is a license agreement in music?

A Music License Agreement protects both parties when you settle in advance on whether to pay royalties as a percentage of revenue, for a set amount for each use, or under some other arrangement. You can lay it all out in a Music License Agreement.

How do I look up a song license?

First, locate the copyright notice either on a recording or on a copy of the sheet music. You can then search for the song title, writer, or publisher on CCLI, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SongFile or at our web page, Music Services.

How do you negotiate a license agreement?

Negotiating a licensing agreement

1. Know at all times what you want from the negotiations.
2. Understand the company’s position.
3. Demonstrate personal and professional integrity.
4. Find the courage to end negotiations rather than accept poor terms.

Why is it important to license music?

In simple terms, music licensing is all about creating an agreement that would be shared between the musicians, ideally the original creator and the one who would be using it. This accounts for permission to access the content and protection of the same from unauthorized use.

When do you need a music license agreement?

A music license agreement is used when an individual or company (”Licensee”) wants to use a song by a musician (”Copywriter Holder”) in a project. An example is when a musician has a song a television producer wants to use in a television show. These contracts may also apply to use of a song in a website or at a live event.

Where can I find a license agreement checklist?

If your work requires you to draft license agreements, download the checklist from the online version of this Handbook where it is given without the annotations.

What should a licensor look for in a licensing agreement?

Generally, licensors want to be able to cut ties with a licensee at the drop of a hat, while – at the same time – being able to require licensees to jump through hoops if they want to dissolve the relationship. This protects the parent company and the brand identity, while minimizing the overall liability.

Can you perform a music license with another performing right organization?

A music license with another performing right organization allows you to perform only copyrighted music represented by that organization. It does not cover public performances of the award-winning music licensed by BMI.

What are some examples of music licensing agreements?

For example, a musician could license their song for its use in a commercial that will be broadcast only in China, and bargain to maintain rights to license the song for other uses in the United States. A musician can contract to maintain rights to royalties from profits earned by the party licensing the song.

When do you sign a music license agreement?

The territory of this contract is the entire universe. The LICENSEE is not required to credit the Work to the composer, publisher, or LICENSOR in the LICENSEE’s productions (in liner notes, rolling credits, verbal acknowledgment, etc.) The term of the contract is effective on THE DATE SIGNED BELOW.

Can You skimp on a music license agreement?

Skimping on a Music License Agreement can get you in trouble. Most music is copyrighted, and if you want to use a tune in a multimedia production, you have to play by the rules. Every musician has heard about artists who have lost control of their rights while their songs play on.

Who is the third party in a music license agreement?

In simple terms, a music license agreement is a deal between a third party and the creator (s) for use of the composition, in exchange for money. The third party is said to have obtained a “ licence ” for the usage of the composition (s). The above mentioned third party is referred to as the licensee.