Keep checking back here for more information about licensing and the ins and outs of the creative and business side of getting your songs into filmed productions.

1.Licensing
There are two different rights that have to be ‘cleared’ or ’approved’ when we license a song from an artist for use in any filmed production: The Master Recording and the Publishing (copyright of the song). The company or individual that ‘paid’ for the recording is the owner of that recording. As for the Publishing, the writers may own their own copyright/Publishing or they may have entered into a Publishing deal with a company who controls those rights.

2. Artist Information
The labeling for your songs on the CD or within your MP3 submission must contain some pertinent information: Writers’ information and PROs (performing rights organizations - SOCAN, ASCAP. BMI etc.), owner of recording, contact information and year of production. The writers and publishers for each song should be clearly identified.

3. Production
It’s important that your songs have very good quality production.  Films and TV shows won’t air poor quality recordings.

4. Samples
Taken from other songs or recordings, samples belong to the writer of the sampled song and/or the owner of recording.  It can be extremely difficult and expensive to clear certain samples and Supervisors may not ever consider that track for placement. To that end, ensure your music does not contain any samples! If your music does contain samples, then be sure to indicate in your notes who publishes/owns that sample and/or if you have used an existing recording and who owns it.

5. Expletive Lyrics / Profanity
Unless searching for something specific, as a rule, Music Supervisors will generally disregard songs with expletive lyrics. TV networks have strict rules and regulations to adhere to regarding profanity. There will be exceptions in some films or cable TV shows.