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Sync License Agreement

For a music rights holder licensing a song to a film, TV show, commercial, or video game — covers the sync fee, permitted uses, territory, duration, credit, and cue sheet obligations.

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

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Is this the right contract for your project?

This contract is built for music rights holders and the people who want to use that music in visual content. It fits situations where you are pairing a song or recording with a film, show, video, ad, or online post and need written permission that sets the fee, the allowed uses, the territory, and how long the permission lasts.

Good fit for

  • Filmmakers and video creators adding music to a project
  • Advertisers and brands using a track in a campaign
  • Content creators clearing music for online posts
  • Rights holders licensing a song or recording
  • Producers who need both the song and the recording cleared

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Before you start

It helps to have these details on hand before you create your contract:

  • The song title and the artist who performs it
  • Whether you are clearing the composition, the recording, or both
  • The project the music will appear in
  • How the music will be used and for how long
  • The territory and the length of the license
  • Whether the use is exclusive or non-exclusive
  • The license fee and how it will be paid
  • Any credit the rights holder expects

What's Inside This Contract

Licensed material

Identifies the composition, the master recording if included, and the production the music is licensed for.

Grant of license

Sets the sync and master use rights, permitted uses and edits, the territory, and the length of the license.

Compensation

Covers the license fee, payment, credit, and cue sheet filing.

Representations and warranties

Confirms each side has the rights and authority to enter the deal and covers indemnification.

Termination

Explains when the license can end and what survives, including for payment default.

Disputes and general provisions

Covers standard terms such as notices, how disputes are handled, and signatures.

Points Worth Negotiating

  • The fee and whether it is one-time or ongoing
  • Which projects and platforms the music may appear in
  • How long the license lasts and where it applies
  • Whether the use is exclusive or non-exclusive
  • Whether both the composition and the recording are covered

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sync license agreement?
A sync license gives permission to pair a piece of music with visual content. It sets the fee, the allowed uses, how long the permission lasts, and where it applies.
Who should sign it?
The music rights holder, or licensor, and the person or company using the music, or licensee, both sign. Each signature confirms the fee, the allowed uses, and the rights being cleared.
Do I need to clear both the song and the recording?
Often yes. The composition and a specific recording can be owned by different people, so using a recorded track usually requires permission for both. This agreement can cover the composition only or both.
Is a sync license one-time or ongoing?
It can be either. Some licenses charge a single flat fee, while others charge per use or renew over time. The agreement sets this out clearly.
What should I have ready before creating it?
Have the song title and artist, whether you are clearing the composition and recording or just the composition, the project, how and how long the music will be used, the territory, the fee, and any credit expected.
How is it different from a merchandise licensing agreement?
A sync license covers using music in visual content. A merchandise licensing agreement covers putting a name, logo, or design on products. The two cover different rights and are sometimes used together.
Should I choose the custom contract or the editable template?
Choose the custom contract to answer a few questions and have it filled in for you. Choose the editable template if you prefer a blank version with labeled fields to complete yourself.
What are common warning signs in a sync license agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any sync license agreement:

  • Unclear which uses or platforms are allowed
  • Only the song or only the recording is cleared, not both
  • Open-ended term with no end date
  • Vague description of the licensed music
  • No credit terms where credit is expected
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