Determine the copyright holder of the song. Most recordings include digital information about the copyright holder, or physical inserts that declare copyright. To access copyright information in a digital file, right-click on the file and choose "Properties," then look for the "Publisher" under the "Details" tab. For a fee, the U.S. Copyright Office will provide copyright information to the public by request. The copyright of most professional, well known recordings are managed by large companies, such as ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Performers), BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) or SESAC (The Society of European Stage Authors and Composers). Lesser known recordings are owned and handled by personal artists and companies. Some companies will also license stock music for a reasonable fee.
Contact the copyright holder or license administrator. For ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, visit their websites and follow directions for how to contact the companies for music licensing. For smaller companies and individual artists, contact them through the information embedded in a digital recording, website or other personal information.
Request the use of the song. Larger companies, such as ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, have detailed processes for this outlined on their websites. Smaller companies and individual artists sometimes respond personally if asked the specific question. Provide them with the full information about your project, including how you plan to promote the film for exposure. However, it is the artist or licensing administrator's choice to refuse such a request.
Sign a contract. If the rights holder agrees to let you use a song or music element, you will need a contract that stipulates the use and any payment information. These contracts may include details, such as if the full use of the song will be allowed or specifically how many times the song can play in your film and for how long. ASCAP, BMI and SESAC will provide their own contacts. For smaller companies or individual artists who do not, download free music licensing contracts from filmmaking websites.
Pay a royalty. If the contract stipulates, you may have to pay a fee in advance to use the music, or pay additional fees after a certain amount of time has passed or the film has earned a profit. Smaller companies and independent artists may agree to let you use the song for promotional purposes, waiving any fee or deferring it until the project becomes profitable in the future.
Use the music in your film in accordance with the written agreement.