Synchronization (Sync) License

A license that allows a piece of music to be used in timed relation (i.e., "synced") with visual media such as film, TV, or ads.

Master Use License

Grants permission to use a specific recorded version of a song. Often goes hand-in-hand with a sync license.

Publishing Rights

The rights held by the songwriter or composer (or their publisher), which must be cleared for sync.

One-Stop

When both the master and publishing rights are controlled by a single entity, making licensing fast and easy.

Pre-Cleared

Music that has already been approved/licensed in advance, ready for immediate sync use without further negotiations.

Needle Drop

A single use of a music track in a production. Multiple needle drops mean the track is used several times.

Cue

A piece of music used in a production. It may be a full song, an instrumental, or a short sound design.

Library Music

Music from a catalog intended for licensing, often used for background or mood-setting.

Custom Score / Custom Cue

Music composed specifically for a project. Often tailored to the scene’s emotional or dramatic needs.

Buyout

A flat-fee arrangement where the user obtains broad or full rights to a track, sometimes forever, usually excluding performance rights.

PRO (Performing Rights Organization)

Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC (US) that collect royalties for public performance of music.

Cue Sheet

A document submitted to a PRO that lists all music used in a production, who owns it, and how long it was used.

Split Sheet

A document outlining ownership percentages among songwriters and/or producers on a track. Critical for licensing.

Sync Agent / Music Supervisor

A person or company that helps place music in film, TV, or ads by matching music to media needs.

Exclusive License

The licensee has exclusive rights to use the song in a certain context or territory.

Non-Exclusive License

The licensor can license the same track to others, even during the same time frame.

MFN (Most Favored Nations)

A clause that guarantees one party will receive equal terms to others in a deal. Common in co-ownership situations.

Stems

Individual audio elements (e.g., vocals, drums, bass) from a track, provided to allow remixing or editing for sync.

Instrumental Version

A version of a song with vocals removed, often requested by music supervisors for dialogue-heavy scenes.

Cutdown / Edit

A shortened version of a song made to fit a specific duration or scene.

Alt Mix / Alternate Mix

A variation of the original mix, such as stripped down, no vocals, or different instrumentation.

Sync Fee

The upfront payment to use music in a visual production. This is negotiated and often varies widely.

Backend Royalties

Performance royalties collected after the production airs, paid through PROs to rights holders.

In-Context Use

When music is used in the scene exactly as intended (e.g., background in a coffee shop scene).

Out-of-Context Use

When a song is used in promotions, trailers, or outside the original scene, often requiring a separate license.

Festival Rights

A limited sync license covering use in film festivals before commercial release.

Indemnification Clause

A contract clause where one party agrees to compensate the other if legal issues arise from the license.

Retitle

Renaming a song to split rights among multiple libraries, often controversial. Used by some non-exclusive libraries.