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How to Obtain a License to Use a Music Recording

You must have a license to use music that has been created by others. Many types of licensing agreements are available, including blanket, mechanical, performance, sync and sample clearance. Figuring out which type of license you need and how much that license will cost can be challenging. Using a recorded song in videos, commercials, television and movies, ring tones or compilation CDs, for example, requires a master use license. A master use license can be difficult and expensive to obtain.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine who owns the master on the recording you would like to use. The person who paid for the recording--usually the record label or the artist--owns the master for the song. The CD case may list who holds the copyright to the work. If not, search through the U.S. copyright office to find out who owns the music.

    • 2

      Contact the owner of the master. Let him know how you plan to use the recording. Include information such as how it will be featured (e.g., in a movie or commercial), how many copies are expected to sell, your budget for the project and how long you plan to use the recording.

    • 3

      Wait for a response. There is no set fee for a master use license. The owner of the master will either deny your request or place a value on what he expects to be paid for using the material. This can run from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on your plans.

    • 4

      Respond to the request by accepting the fee and completing an agreement, rejecting the offer or countering with a different fee proposal. If you accept the agreement, a master license agreement will be made.

    • 5

      Follow the usage guidelines set forth in the license. If you want to change the license in any way, you must amend or get a new master license agreement.

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