Synchronization License Defined

Published: Tue, 05/17/11

Synchronization License Defined
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.

Two Slots Left For 90 Day Challenge Master Class Starting Today
The 90 Day Challenge Music License Master Class is officially underway. Although registration closed on Sunday, two people have had to back out at the last minute and so there are two slots open if you would like to take the course but didn´t get a chance to register. If you would like to take the course go to http://www.musiclicensing101.com/90-day-challenge-master-class.php and sign up. I´ll leave the page up until the slots are gone.

As a reminder, here´s what´s included in the 90 Day Challenge Master Class:

1) Two Half Hour Phone Consultations
2) Daily licensing leads for places to submit your music
3) Weekly in depth video tutorials
4) 2011 TV and Film Music Business Directory
5) 2010 Music Publisher Directory
6) A Songwriter's Guide To Music Licensing Ebook
7) The A To Z Of Music Licensing
8) Sample Contract Section
9) Bonus Audio Interviews with music licensing professionals
10) Additional one on one email coaching

Visit http://www.musiclicensing101.com/90-day-challenge-master-class.php to register today.

Here are a what a few of the past participants had to say about participating in the "90 Day Challenge Music Licensing Master Class":

Hi Aaron, the past 90 days in your Music Licensing Master Class, has been a
wonderful 'jump start' to getting started in music licensing! Pre cleared leads with interviews and tutorials full of information needed on this road of music licensing! I am currently working out details to associate with a few different agencies. Thank you Aaron, and Keep up the good work!

Continued success and good health.

Arthur 'Hakim' Stokes (Co writer of two jackson five songs)

Everything I know about the music licensing business I learned from Aaron Davison. His "A-Z of Music Licensing" is a fantastic guide that outlines the most important points in a clear and fun to read way. His latest program, the "90 day Challenge" was a fantastic way to deepen my knowledge about the biz. Aaron made the participants job of submitting to one company every single day as easy as possible and I am now in contact with Music supervisors, Publishers and Libraries. I started to look forward to the daily lead and even though those 3 months were strenuous, I was almost sad when the program ended.

Franco Pellegrini

Hi Aaron,

I wanted you to know that I've been following your "90 day" program for the last 21days and already got a song placement for a European national TV commercial. I submiited 5 songs on the 20th of May for this particular library and got a placement and track usage report on the 24th of May. They took my 2:52 song and are making a 30 second commercial out of it...totally cool!

You are the best, my friend.

~Stan Tristan
http://www.myspace.com/stantristanrocks

For more testimonials and to hear a special audio presentation where I explain exactly what´s included in the course and how it works, visit:
http://www.musiclicensing101.com/90-day-challenge-master-class.php

Happy Songwriting!

Aaron Davison