Music synchronization and master use recording license agreements are standard licenses used to transfer music rights between copyright holders (licensor) and users (licensee). The two grant permission to use the same music but transfer different scopes of rights. This post outlines the differences between the two and when they're applicable.
Through music master use license agreements and synchronization license agreements, the copyright holders profit from their works by granting permission to users in exchange for royalties. Common applicants of sync and master use recording license agreements include:
Commercials; Podcasts; and Video games.Performing rights organizations (PRO) like ASCAP, SESAC, and BMI represent music rights holders by tracking and collecting license royalties.
Master use recording license agreement grants rights to a person who wants to use the sound recording of a music track in audiovisual projects, such as podcasts, TV ads, video games, radio shows, and other media forms. The music master use license agreement provides the scope of using the recording, outlining the license's terms and conditions, such as the specific rights transferred, royalty terms, the length of use, and screen credits.
A musical production usually has two rights attached to it – composition and sound recording (master) copyrights. With a music master use license agreement , you gain permission to play the sound recording in public performances such as radio stations and events.
Anyone interested in using the recording can obtain the master use recording license agreement directly from the owner or the licensing agency (performing rights organization - PRO). If an artist is working with a record label, the label's contract may require they give up the rights to the recording entirely or for the term of the agreement.
The royalties are payable to the copyright holder(s) (artist or all the parties in case of joint ownership). Where multiple parties (artist, record company) own the music, they must provide their consent in the music master use license agreement. To know whether a record label owns the music, you can check their name on the liner notes and then refer to their website for contacts.
Music synchronization license agreement differs from the master use recording license agreement in granting the licensee rights to synchronize the original music into their audiovisual media project.
Common examples of sync users include: