When the music industry was just starting out there was no such concept as the music license. As a result, many of the artists lost the credits and the royalties that was rightfully theirs as they gave up their rights to their creations without understanding the importance. It gradually developed in an attempt to safeguard the creations of the artists and also to ensure that they got the credit that is due to them.
When you are beginning your journey in the music industry, the most important document will be the music licensing agreement. It is going to be the only way of your getting money out of your creations. Therefore, it is very important that you take extreme caution while entering into the contract. Given below are the kinds of licensing agreement that you can enter into.
Performance licensing:
A performance rights organization collects these and then is distributed among the right owners. The top licensing companies of the country usually see to the payments that are made under the contracts. Even though this is the most popular kind of licensing it is the most misunderstood one.
Licensing for Mechanical rights
This right allows one to manufacture record and distribute the music. The number of records manufactured will determine the amount of money the copyright owner will get. People tend to confuse this license with the master rights licensing.
Licensing for synchronization rights:
When a copyrighted song or music is used in the T.V program, a movie, a music video or any other recorded medium then this license is required. Besides, a master rights license should also be procured.
So, while you are negotiating the deal make sure that you have read all the terms of the song licensing agreement. Ensure that they are in your favor and you stand to gain from them.
