Which license covers using a musical composition in connection with audiovisual works?

Which license covers using a musical composition in connection with audiovisual works?

• A. Master Use License
• B. Synchronization license
• C. Public performance license
• D. Mechanical license

Answer: (B)

Synchronizing music with video requires a synchronization license because it specifically grants permission to pair a musical composition with audiovisual works. This license is about the act of lining up or “syncing” the music to the on-screen images, timing the music to moments in the film, scene transitions, and edits. It’s separate from other licenses that govern different rights: a master use license covers using the actual sound recording of the track; a public performance license covers playing or broadcasting the music to an audience in public or via media; a mechanical license covers reproducing the composition in copies (like CDs or digital downloads). In practice, if a producer wants to include a song in a movie, they typically obtain a sync license from the publisher for the composition, and if they also want to use the specific recording, they’d separately obtain a master-use license from the recording owner. If the music is written specifically for the film, the sync license is part of that transformative deal.

Synchronizing music with video requires a synchronization license because it specifically grants permission to pair a musical composition with audiovisual works. This license is about the act of lining up or “syncing” the music to the on-screen images, timing the music to moments in the film, scene transitions, and edits. It’s separate from other licenses that govern different rights: a master use license covers using the actual sound recording of the track; a public performance license covers playing or broadcasting the music to an audience in public or via media; a mechanical license covers reproducing the composition in copies (like CDs or digital downloads). In practice, if a producer wants to include a song in a movie, they typically obtain a sync license from the publisher for the composition, and if they also want to use the specific recording, they’d separately obtain a master-use license from the recording owner. If the music is written specifically for the film, the sync license is part of that transformative deal.