Music Publishing and Copyright: Cover Songs - TuneCore

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5 synchronization licenses We hope that’s clear, but we’re not quite done. Now, let’s say you want to make a video of your recording of “Yesterday.” You’ll need another license. This license is called a “synchronization license.” This “synch license” gives you the right to synchronize the “composition” (song) with visual images. The synch license also contains the same right as a mechanical license; the right to make copies. But the synch license is not a substitute for a mechanical license. The only reproductions or copies you can make with a synch license are copies of your video containing the “composition.” And, depending on how you want to use the video, you may be restricted as to how many copies you can make. For instance, if you want only to have your video broadcast on TV, the internet, cell phones, etc., you may be restricted to making copies for just that purpose. But if you also want to sell your video over iTunes or anywhere else, you must have that right specified in the license. A synchronization license is a lot more fluid and flexible than a mechanical license, so when you get one, be sure you know what you want to do with the video and make sure you ask for those rights to be included in the license. You get a synch license the same way you get a mechanical license. You must contact the publisher or songwriter. There is no set royalty rate for a synch license. It is all negotiable between you and the songwriter or publisher. You can negotiate to pay a one time up-front fee or pay a royalty. The royalty rate will be the amount agreed upon between you and the publisher for the sale of each copy. In some cases, you may have to pay both an up-front fee and a royalty, or an advance against future royalties and subsequent royalties once the advance is paid off. It all depends on your negotiations with the publisher. The mechanical right, the synchronization right; these, along with others,
like the reprinting of lyrics, are called publishing rights. This is music publishing. your friend, the harry fox agency A word about The Harry Fox Agency. The Harry Fox Agency is a giant agency that also administers music publishing rights, though they do not issue synch licenses nor do they grant permission to reprint lyrics. Just like music publishers act on behalf of songwriters, The Harry Fox Agency acts on behalf of songwriters and publishers too. In many cases, they will be the source you will go to for a mechanical license. so who owns the songs? At this point you are probably asking yourself : How do I find the owner or publisher of a song? Just about every song in existence is registered with either ASCAP, BMI or SESAC. ASCAP, BMI and SESAC all have web sites that you can search to find the owner or publisher of a song. Remember, there are many songs with the same title, so be sure you are identifying the right song. If you know who wrote the song, it will make your search a lot easier. Once you have found the right song title and writer, the information regarding the owner or publisher will be there alongside it. Another good site that will help you track down the administrator of a song is the Harry Fox Agency web site called SongFile. By visiting these web sites and doing a little detective work, you will, in most every case, find out who you must contact in order to get a license. The license will be very specific about who to pay, how often you must pay and, of course, the amount to be paid. Good Luck. 6
Page 2 and 3: 1 THE BASICS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
Page 4 and 5: 3 Copyright Law and similar laws in
Page 8 and 9: 7 BE YOUR OWN RECORD LABEL BY TUNEC

Music Publishing and Copyright: Cover Songs - TuneCore

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