"Royalty Free" Music
Published: Tue, 06/03/14
There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding the term "royalty free" music as it applies to the music licensing industry. Some believe that this means there is no cost at all associated with the music in question, which is not the case. Others believe that the music being licensed under this arrangement is "copyright free", which is also not true. Different libraries will offer different types of deals and the agreements will vary to a certain degree, however, as a general rule of thumb, "royalty free" music simply means that the end user has purchased a "lifetime synchronization license" for a given song or group of songs. In other words, they have the right to synchronize your music with your audio and/or video productions an unlimited number of times without incurring any additional expense.
There are other types of production music licenses, these include "Needle Drop" licensing where the user pays a fee each time they synchronize a piece of music, and "Blanket Licensing" where the user essentially leases a group of music or CDs, and is able to use the music for a specified set of uses during the duration of the lease (typically a one, two, or three year commitment). Each of these licenses are actually more like renting the music than buying. While the end users don´t actually own the music with a buyout (royalty free) library, they do own a lifetime license to synchronize your music with their productions.
The other big misconception about royalty free music is that the creators of the music don´t receive performance royalties. Television broadcasters pay annual royalties to the Performing Rights Societies for the right to broadcast music on their shows. When music is broadcast on television or cable TV, it is tracked by something called a Cue Sheet. This is precisely where the term Royalty Free does NOT apply and can be easily misconstrued. Cue sheets determine where the royalties previously paid by the broadcaster get distributed. There are no costs associated with cue sheets and most Royalty Free music libraries require that cue sheets be properly filled out when the music is for broadcast use. A cue sheet is a paper trail that ensures writers get paid what is due to them out of the money that has been previously paid by the television stations and broadcasting entities.
There are other types of production music licenses, these include "Needle Drop" licensing where the user pays a fee each time they synchronize a piece of music, and "Blanket Licensing" where the user essentially leases a group of music or CDs, and is able to use the music for a specified set of uses during the duration of the lease (typically a one, two, or three year commitment). Each of these licenses are actually more like renting the music than buying. While the end users don´t actually own the music with a buyout (royalty free) library, they do own a lifetime license to synchronize your music with their productions.
The other big misconception about royalty free music is that the creators of the music don´t receive performance royalties. Television broadcasters pay annual royalties to the Performing Rights Societies for the right to broadcast music on their shows. When music is broadcast on television or cable TV, it is tracked by something called a Cue Sheet. This is precisely where the term Royalty Free does NOT apply and can be easily misconstrued. Cue sheets determine where the royalties previously paid by the broadcaster get distributed. There are no costs associated with cue sheets and most Royalty Free music libraries require that cue sheets be properly filled out when the music is for broadcast use. A cue sheet is a paper trail that ensures writers get paid what is due to them out of the money that has been previously paid by the television stations and broadcasting entities.
In conclusion, a "Royalty Free" license means that the end user does not continually pay a "synchronization royalty" each time they use a given piece of music and instead only pay a one time fee upfront. It does NOT mean that the writer will not receive the performance royalty, or broadcast royalty, due him or her when his music is aired. This royalty has already been paid in advance by the broadcaster and should be distributed appropriately through the filling out and submission of cue sheets.
If you're interested in contacting music libraries, music publishers and music supervisors working in the TV and Film business be sure to check out the TV/Film Music Industry Directory that I offer. .
If you're interested in learning more about how to license your music for use in TV, Films and Video Games, I offer a comprehensive program on the music licensing business called "The A-Z Of Music Licensing". I created this program based on everything I've learned about the music licensing and music publishing business over the last seven years. I walk you through the exact steps I took to get started and I show you how you can do the same. I also cover the technical side of the industry. I go over things like how you get paid, how copyrighting works, how to present yourself professionally, how to record music on a budget and much, much more! The program also comes with an updated directory of WHO to send your music to. There are over 1,600 listings for publishers, supervisors, music libraries, etc... I've heard nothing but good things about my program and the information in contains.
Here are just a few of the actual emails I've received recently from people who purchased "The A-Z Of Music Licensing":
Aaron,
Aaron,
How are you? My name is Tim Byrd and I purchased your online version of your program. It's great.
Hello Aaron.
I just ordered and downloaded your audio files and .pdf files and though I haven't put in effect any of your ideas, I see where you are headed.
I think this is some wonderful information and will soon be using it.
Hello Aaron,
Hello Aaron,
I sent you an email a few weeks ago asking about your thoughts of pitching my music ( Mostly Blues & Jazz ....But also Guitar instrumentals, folk, French cabaret, Christmas and some Traditional Country )and actually making any money at the library thing. Your reply was that these genres were not yours and you couldn't really comment on that domain .
I appreciated your honest answer and went ahead and bought your repertoire of libraries, publishers etc...
Well here's the lowdown after 3 weeks of hard work sending emails and submitting songs online and via CD by mail.
I've signed deals for 27 songs and there's another 60 or so that are being screened as I write this email....
Out of all the addresses I've checked so far there wasn't ONE library that I knew ( that's good ), because through the other independent company I was a member of I had made connections with about 10 libraries and have signed in less than a year about 100 songs with companies in L.A., Texas, U.K. etc.and had one placement on The Everybody Hates Chris TV Show....So a total of 127 + songs...And 60 + in waiting...
Mike
Mike
Hey Aaron,
I thought I would pass on to you the fact that I also got my whole catalogue (47 tunes) signed to one of the libraries in your directory.
Thanks for your help!
Colin
I thought I would pass on to you the fact that I also got my whole catalogue (47 tunes) signed to one of the libraries in your directory.
Thanks for your help!
Colin
Hey Aaron,
I'm in the process of signing two songs to a publishers thanks to your info! Thank you!!
Stacy
hi Aaron,
thanks for all your info and directory. such a great help!
Tracy
Thank YOU!!!
I must say I find your products extremely helpful....keep it up!!!
Tammy Hunt
Great, inspiring information....exactly what I was looking for in regards to publishing and the like. Much appreciated!!
Brian Thunberg
Yesterday I purchased your Film/TV directory and I must say it is a whole lot different from "Song Writers Market" book. It's great!
Mark
Hey Aaron,
I did purchase your 'A-Z of music licensing and the directory. I think they are great!
Mike
Visit http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com/the-a-to-z-of-music-licensing.php for more.
Happy Songwriting!
Aaron Davison