Music usage rights, terms, and what they specify in sync licenses.
Music rights are a vital aspect of obtaining a music license. Two of the elements required are: 1) the term and 2) the usage. The term, either perpetual or fixed, specifies the amount of time a certain media project can be broadcast. The usage — either single or unlimited — specifies the number of projects a certain song can be used alongside. Both the term and usage (for example, a perpetual, single use sync license) must be specified for any type of license.
Music Usage Terms
The right someone has to use an artist’s music is completely dependent on the type of license they have obtained. As you’ll see, along with the types of music license, there are several different forms of music rights people can get to use a particular song or group of songs. First, the term of the license must be set. This specifies the amount of time in which one specific project can be broadcast. The terms generally fall into one of two categories:
- Perpetual License
Most licenses, including those issued through Musicbed, are perpetual licenses. This simply means a license can be used for a certain project indefinitely. For example, a wedding film can be played unlimited amounts with a particular song. This does not mean the music license gives permission to be used in unlimited amounts of projects, however.
- Termed License
As opposed to perpetual, term licenses place a definite amount of time on a particular license. For example, a television commercial may run for six months with a particular licensed song. The term is negotiated between the licenser and person seeking the music rights as the documents are drafted.
Music Usage Rights
Next, the music license being issued must be paired with some sort of usage right. The usage specifies how many projects a certain song can be paired with. There are three main types of music usage rights:
- Single Use
A single use license, also known as a single song license, means a song can be paired with one project (one video edit) and one project only. Most of Musicbed’s sync licenses are issued as a single use, perpetual license. As a perpetual license, that project can be broadcast indefinitely. A single use, term license, however, means the song can be used for one project, for a certain amount of time (i.e. six months, one year).
- Unlimited Use
Many services offer a catalog of music to a user for a subscription fee. As long as the customer is paying the subscription, they have access to a catalog for any project over any duration. This also applies to licenses that can be used indefinitely after a purchase is made. In general, this type of usage refers to royalty-free and production catalogs, however Musicbed now offers Subscription packages.
In summary, music licenses need two things: a term and a usage. The term specifies the amount of time in which a project can be broadcast, either perpetual or for an allotted amount of time. The usage specifies how many projects a song can be used with: either a single use or blanket use. Most of Musicbed’s licenses are perpetual licenses (though some are term usage) with a single use allowed.
How to Obtain a Music Usage Rights
Music usage rights, including the usage term, are written into a music license. You can learn more about how to license music here. Whether you obtain a music license through a publisher, label, or licensing agency like Musicbed, the terms of the agreement will be written into the details of the license.