Sync Licensing: What Exactly is it?

Sync licensing (short for synchronization licensing) is the process of licensing a piece of music to be synchronized with visual media. This can include movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, YouTube videos, and more. When a song is used in sync with visual content, it requires a sync license from the copyright holders (typically the composer, songwriter, or publisher) to legally use the music.

How Sync Licensing Works:

1. The Sync License: This is an agreement that allows the media producer (such as a filmmaker, TV producer, or advertiser) to synchronize the music with their visual content. The license gives permission for the music to be paired with the video in a specific way, often for a specific territory, time period, or medium (like film or TV).

   
   

2. The Master License: If the music being licensed is a recording, the producer also needs a master license, which allows the use of the specific recording (as opposed to just the composition). This is usually obtained from the record label or the artist if they own the master recording.

   
   

3. One-Time Fee: Traditionally, In exchange for the sync license, the music rights holder (artist, composer, or publisher) usually receives a one-time upfront fee called a sync fee. This fee can vary widely depending on factors like the popularity of the song, the scope of the media project, and its distribution (e.g., local commercial vs. global film). At Audio Done Right, we do not offer this upfront fee because we aim to provide this opportunity to upcoming artists instead of their more popular peers... The mainstream artists, We offer an opportunity that most artists won't get anywhere else.

   
   

   In MOST cases, no music supervisor is truly looking for music from an upcoming artist, which is why and how organizations like TAXI thrive.

   
   

How Artists Get Paid from Sync Licensing:

1. Sync Fee (Upfront Payment):

   • The sync fee is a direct payment to the artist, songwriter, or music rights holder in exchange for the right to synchronize the music with a video. The amount can vary depending on the usage (e.g., feature film, background music, trailer) and the media platform. Artists typically negotiate the fee upfront and receive it before the media project is released.

     
     

2. Performance Royalties:

   • After the media content (film, TV show, etc.) is released or broadcast, the artist can also earn performance royalties whenever the media containing the song is publicly broadcast (TV, radio, streaming platforms). These royalties are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or SOCAN and paid to the songwriter, composer, and publisher. This is because each public performance of the media is also considered a performance of the song.

     
     

3. Mechanical Royalties:

   • If the movie or TV show soundtrack is sold or streamed (as part of an album, for example), the artist can also earn mechanical royalties from the reproduction and distribution of the soundtrack. These are collected through mechanical rights organizations like the Harry Fox Agency (HFA) or similar agencies in other countries.

     
     

4. Backend Royalties (for certain deals):

   • In some cases, artists may negotiate for backend royalties, meaning they get a share of the revenue or profits generated by the film or project in which their music is featured. This type of deal is less common but can provide ongoing income for artists based on the success of the media project.

     
     

5. Streaming and Digital Royalties:

   • If the media project containing the sync-licensed music is streamed on digital platforms like Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify, the artist can also receive digital performance royalties and streaming royalties, which are collected by agencies like SoundExchange for non-interactive streams or directly by the artist’s distributor for interactive streams.

     
     

Benefits of Sync Licensing:

• Exposure: Sync licensing gives artists exposure to new audiences by having their music featured in visual media, often leading to more streams, sales, and overall awareness.

• Significant Earnings: Sync fees can be very lucrative, especially for high-profile placements, and can generate additional income streams through performance and mechanical royalties.

• Long-Term Earnings: Even after the upfront fee is paid, artists continue to earn royalties as long as the media project is in circulation or streaming.

Sync licensing is a valuable service that connects visual media creators with music, providing artists with ongoing royalties from the use of their work. If you're interested in having your music synced by us, click here.