Sync license and master license, explained
Putting a song in a video takes two permissions: one for the song as written, and one for the recording.
What is a sync license?
A synchronization license, or sync license, is the permission to pair a composition (the music and any lyrics) with moving pictures: a video, an ad, a film, a TV show or a game. It comes from whoever owns the song as written, usually the songwriter’s publisher.
What is a master license?
A master use license is the permission to use one specific recording of that song. It comes from whoever owns the recording, usually the label or the artist.
Why a video usually needs both
Using the original recording means using the composition and the recording at the same time, so both licenses are needed. A new cover version recorded by someone else needs the sync license for the composition and the permission of whoever owns the new recording, but not the master license of the original.
And the public performance license?
Playing music in public, on TV, on the radio, in a store or in a gym, is a public performance. Broadcasters and venues usually pay for it through collecting societies, such as ASCAP and BMI in the United States, PPL and PRS for Music in the United Kingdom, or SIAE and SCF in Italy.
What sets the price
There is no single price list for sync. The fee depends on the four things every request asks for:
- Coverage
- The media the project needs: streaming and social channels, ads and pre-roll, TV and radio, live venues, events, trade shows, conferences, corporate meetings, DVD and downloads, theatrical distribution or video games.
- Territory
- The countries where the project will be seen or heard.
- Time range
- How long the project stays in distribution, and so how long the license runs.
- Usage
- A single use in one medium, or several uses across different media.
A wedding film shared online and a worldwide TV campaign sit at opposite ends of that scale.
How it works with the songs of ELYAZ
ELYAZ writes and produces his songs, so the recording and the composition are requested together, with one form at elyaz.com/licensing.
Common questions
- What is a sync license in music?
- The permission to use a composition together with moving pictures. A video that uses someone else’s song usually needs one.
- Do I need a master license too?
- Yes, if you use the original recording. The sync license covers the song as written, the master license covers the recording.
- How much does a sync license cost?
- It depends on coverage, territory, time range and usage. A short online video for one country and a global TV campaign are priced very differently.
- How long does a sync license last?
- For the time range written in the license, which follows how long the project stays in distribution.
License a song
One request covers the recording (master) and the composition (sync). It asks for four things: coverage, territory, time range and usage.
More uses: Ads, brands and documentaries Trailers, TV shows and films Video games Fashion shows and fashion films Car videos and car edits YouTube, vlogs and podcasts Wedding videos Events and corporate videos Gyms and fitness classes Hotels, restaurants and stores