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Master Recording Use License Agreement

For recording owners and producers licensing an existing master recording for an agreed audiovisual production.

Need permission for the underlying music and lyrics as well? Sync License Agreement

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

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About this contract

Master Recording Use License Agreement licenses a specific existing sound recording for a defined production. It does not license the underlying composition or transfer ownership of the master.

Key points covered in this contract

Licensed recording: the exact recording version and permitted excerpts.
Permitted uses: trailer, advertising, soundtrack, and standalone uses.
License scope and fee: territory, duration, exclusivity, and master fee.
Composition clearance: who obtains the separate composition clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a master recording license also cover the song's music and lyrics?

No. The recording and the underlying song have separate rights. A master recording license covers use of the recording; permission for the composition may also be needed. Pairing a song with video commonly involves synchronization permission from the composition's rights holder.

Does the licensee own the recording afterward?

No. A license grants the agreed uses; it does not itself transfer ownership of the master.

Can I use the recording in another production?

Only if the agreed license covers it. A permission for one film, scene, or campaign does not automatically cover a new project or a standalone soundtrack release.

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