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 Want to know more? Take our class at New York University.   

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1. What kind of materials can you help me license? 
2. How can I know what the outcome will be?
3. How much does it cost to use a song?
4. How long does it take to obtain a license?
5. Student Requests.
6. Register my Songs for Copyright?
7. Register my Band Name for Copyright?
8. Can you Help me find a song owner?
9. Public Domain?
10. Non-profit organizations.
11. Recording song covers.
12. Assembling CD compilations.
13. Assembling video albums / Yearbook DVD's.
14. Sampling other songs in your own song.
15. What is a Music Supervisor?
16. What does a Music Supervisor do?

1. What kind of materials can you help me obtain:
We have a great deal of experience helping producers obtain the rights to use music, photos, and video clips in all types of media productions.  We also have extensive experience with clearing audio-only products, such as music samples and compilations.  Our services include researching rights owners, obtaining permission, price quotes, as well as issuing and administering licensing agreements.  Visit our Services page for more information.

2. How can I know what the outcome will be?:
Obtaining permission to incorporate someone else's creative idea into a new project, such as a film or book or recording, is never a sure thing.  There are many reasons why a rights holder will deny a request - including but not limited to temporary contractual restrictions, creative issues over certain topics (alcohol, violence, etc.), and the most common issue in obtaining rights is that the song owner may feel that a usage warrants a higher fee than you have budgeted.  Please note that the majority of lyric parody requests are DENIED, and those that are approved often pay a hefty premium.  Fortunately most request do go through in a satisfactory manner, but it's important to remember that there are no guarantees.  If someone does guarantee that they will get you a positive result for every request then RUN!

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3. How much does it cost to use a song:
Licensing fees depend on many things - including but not limited to the fame of the song, the fame of the performer, the way the song is used in the production, and the media the production will be presented in.  In some instances we may be able to give a very rough estimate at what a particular fee may be, but the only way to know if you will receive permission and exactly what a fee will be is to start the clearance process.  Please note that we are not available to provide licensing services for projects with no music budget.   

4. How long will it take to clear a song:
The time it takes to clear a song can depend on many things, including the same considerations in establishing the costs of licensing a song (see just above).  A big budget production will usually get rights holder's attention quickly, but if you are looking for a bargain and have a small budget you may have to wait.  On average allow at least 2 weeks for a response from the song owner(s), but a response can also take more or less time.

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5. Student Requests:
Some (not all) music owners will not issue license for free under any circumstances, some do not accept student requests at all, and others may charge a student anywhere from $50 to $500.  Any uses outside of required school-work are considered at the professional rate and subject to standard licensing fees by song owners.  We have created a simple how-to guide on clearance process specifically for student uses - check out this easy to use e-book now.

6. Can you register my songs for copyright:
We do not register your material for copyright.  However we have gotten so many requests for this service we are in the process of assembling a simple how-to guide on this process.  Register on our ebook page to be notified when it's ready.

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7. Can you register my Band's Name for Copyright:
We do not research and register names.  However we have gotten so many requests for this service we are in the process of assembling a simple how-to guide on this process.  Register on our ebook page to be notified when it's ready.

8. Can you help me locate a song owner:
Yes, we are well versed in researching rights holders for various types of materials.  We are not a search engine or free service, but we will endeavor to always provide services at reasonable fees.  Visit our Services page for more information.

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9. The music I want to use in my production is so old I think it's in the public domain (sometimes called "PD"):
Don't jump to conclusions.  Whether a song is PD can depend on MANY things - laws vary depending on WHEN the piece was created, as well as WHERE your production will be exhibited.  If the piece is PD and you use a pre-existing recording you still must have permission from the owner of that recording.  Sometimes PD pieces are newly arranged and so you will need to clear the publishing rights for the new arrangement as well.

10. Not-For-Profit Organizations:
The term "not-for-profit" or "non-profit" is generally reserved for charitable and cultural institutions who have a certain tax status known as 501(c)3.  Just because you don't intend to make a profit with your project does not give you "non-profit" status.  The major rights holders will keep "non-profit" status in mind when quoting on a particular usage - but there is (almost) always a fee involved.

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11. I am recording "covers" of songs to create a "for-sale" CD:
For limited runs (5,000 units or less) you can visit the Harry Fox organization, a central organization where you can obtain "compulsory mechanical licenses" for a great majority of U.S. publishers. 

12. I want to assemble a CD compilation of existing recordings and put it on the market for sale:
You will need to obtain permission from the "Master" owner (usually a record company), as well as obtain the mechanical license from the "Publishing" owner.  There are many limitations, most major record labels will not even review requests that are for less than 10,000 units.  We are in the process of assembling a simple how-to guide on this process.  Register on our ebook page to be notified when it's ready.

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13. I have a business making Personal Video Albums.  As the videos are for personal use only (no broadcasting) do I need to license and pay for the music?  We understand that (almost) no record label or music publisher would be interested in granting this type of usage for free.  We know people assemble video montages at home with music of their choice - the difference is that they are doing this in the privacy of their home, while you are a commercial business and profit from it.  Stay Legal!  Try using production music instead - we recommend www.MusicBoxMX.com for great production music.

Yearbook DVD's  -  Many schools have contacted us in regards to licensing popular music for Yearbook DVD's.  Please note that the popular songs have very expensive licensing criteria and so unfortunately we are not able to provide assistance in clearing Yearbook DVD's, even if you are a non-profit organization or if the DVD is given away free.  Try using production music instead - we recommend www.MusicBoxMX.com for great production music.

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 Still want to know more about Music Supervision? 
 Take our class at New York University.   
 

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