Licensing & royalties
Music Licensing
Music licensing is the process of obtaining written permission from a rights holder to use a piece of music in a defined way, for a defined time and territory.
In practice
A licence always names four things: what you may do, where, for how long, and on which media. Anything outside those boundaries is unlicensed use, which is what generates takedowns, Content ID claims and invoices. Complex campaigns often need several licences at once — sync for the video, master use for the recording, public performance for the venue.
Real questions
What licences do I need for a commercial video?
A synchronisation licence for the composition and a master use licence for the recording — or a single agreement from an owner who controls both.
How much does music licensing cost?
From a few euros for a stock licence to six figures for a well-known song, depending on reach, media and duration.
Can a licence be revoked?
Yes, under the conditions written into it — non-payment, breach, or the end of the term. Ownership cannot be revoked.
One licence rarely covers everything
Buying a track for a YouTube ad does not automatically cover TV, in-store playback or a client’s campaign. Check the media list before you reuse.
Related terms
Own the track instead of renting it
Sonify Music sells exclusive buyouts of catalogue tracks: one payment, full ownership, the track removed from sale and a named certificate of ownership.