A sync License? What is that?

Music licenses are required for an artist to earn money from royalties. They give people legal permission to use the artist’s music for public performances as well as in major motion pictures. There are 6 types of licenses synchronization license, master license, mechanical license, public performance license, print rights license, and theatrical license.

Synchronization License 

A “Sync" license, is granted by the holder of the copyright of a particular composition, which allows the licensee to synchronize music with some kind of visual media output. This could be a commercial, a movie, a streaming ad and many much more. 

Master License

A master license allows the license holder the right to use a recorded piece of music in visual projects such as TV shows, commercials, films as well as other visual creation or audio projects. It is in some ways similar to a Sync license.

Mechanical License

A mechanical license allows the licensee to create physical reproduction of an artists original composition or musical work. This could also be using a sample or a portion of the original composition.

Public Performance License

A Public Performance License is an agreement between a music user and the copyright owner. This license grants permission to play the song in public or on the radio. 

Print Rights License

When someone prints a sheet music compilation of copyrighted work that an artist has created, a print rights license is required.

Theatrical License

A specific form of written permission is required anytime a copyrighted work is performed on stage in front of an audience. It is used for a live theatrical production of a song or perhaps more often, an entire musical show that someone else wrote.