Synchronization License Defined
Published: Thu, 10/08/09
Hi ,
When a producer or music supervisor want to use a song in a television show, permission must be secured from the song's publisher. The songwriter of the song is by default the song's publisher unless the songwriter signs away his publishing rights to a third party. When a producer decides to use a particular song in a broadcast, the producer will then contact the publisher of the song, describe how the song will be used, request a specified period of time to use the song in the program (usually from three years to life of copyright), define the territory in which the program may be broadcast (usually the world but in some cases limited to only specified countries), negotiate a fee, and then sign what is known as a synchronization license . This is an agreement that is signed by the producer of the television show and the publisher of the song which outlines the above details. There is also a "licensing fee" that is paid to the songwriter and publisher which is a one time fee for the rights associated with the synchronization license.
Synchronization fees for major series vary, but typically range from $1,500 to more than $3,000 for a five-year worldwide free television license for the use of one song in a series and from $6,000 to $10,000 and up for life-of-copyright licenses and "all television" licenses.
For an in depth education on how to navigate your way through the music licensing business and start generating money with your music, check out my program "The A-Z Of Music Licensing¨. It's the most comprehensive program I offer and explains very clearly EVERYTHING you need to know to start licensing your music either via a publisher or on your own. The program comes with the 2009 TV/Film Music Industry Directory which has over 150 listings of publishers, supervisors and more working in the TV/Film niche of the music business.
When a producer or music supervisor want to use a song in a television show, permission must be secured from the song's publisher. The songwriter of the song is by default the song's publisher unless the songwriter signs away his publishing rights to a third party. When a producer decides to use a particular song in a broadcast, the producer will then contact the publisher of the song, describe how the song will be used, request a specified period of time to use the song in the program (usually from three years to life of copyright), define the territory in which the program may be broadcast (usually the world but in some cases limited to only specified countries), negotiate a fee, and then sign what is known as a synchronization license . This is an agreement that is signed by the producer of the television show and the publisher of the song which outlines the above details. There is also a "licensing fee" that is paid to the songwriter and publisher which is a one time fee for the rights associated with the synchronization license.
Synchronization fees for major series vary, but typically range from $1,500 to more than $3,000 for a five-year worldwide free television license for the use of one song in a series and from $6,000 to $10,000 and up for life-of-copyright licenses and "all television" licenses.
For an in depth education on how to navigate your way through the music licensing business and start generating money with your music, check out my program "The A-Z Of Music Licensing¨. It's the most comprehensive program I offer and explains very clearly EVERYTHING you need to know to start licensing your music either via a publisher or on your own. The program comes with the 2009 TV/Film Music Industry Directory which has over 150 listings of publishers, supervisors and more working in the TV/Film niche of the music business.
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The A-Z Of Music Licensing is also available online for a discount of more than 20% off of the hard copy version. Get the entire program for less than $40.00! The Online Program is also available with coaching as well!
Happy Songwriting!
Aaron Davison
Aaron Davison