Music Licensing for Commercials

Much like movies and TV shows, commercials use music to make a real impact on viewers. Advertising soundtracks can induce a sense of joy and happiness, or they can convey strong feelings to play on a person’s emotions and hopefully entice them to act.

Regardless of the purpose of music used in commercials, advertisers must understand the rules and guidelines surrounding licensing. Here are a few factors to consider to remain compliant with licensing regulations.

What Is Music Licensing?

When a musician or composer creates music, they typically own the rights to the songs and soundtracks they create. Licensing allows another party to use these creations legally, while also providing the owner with the necessary financial compensation.

Using music that hasn’t been properly licensed can result in costly lawsuits as the creator attempts to recoup the money they’re owed. It can also mean that a commercial or advertisement is permanently shelved due to copyright violations.

Are There Different Types of Licenses?

Certain types of music can be used freely in artistic works. For instance, creative commons music is made free to use by the creator of the music. There’s also public domain music, which covers songs with copyrights that have since expired.

When it comes to paid options, content creators often look to music and song libraries that license tracks to third parties from their expansive catalogs. Accordingly, creators can access all sorts of licenses, including:

• Sync – A sync license is usually reserved for tracks that accompany visual media, such as commercials or music videos.

• Theatrical – This license allows music to be used during a public performance, such as a play or band performance.

• Master – Master licenses allow for the purchase of the original version of a track but do not permit the purchaser to re-record the song.

• Public Performance – These licenses also cover the playing of music over a speaker in a commercial space, such as a dining establishment.

What Type of Licensing Works with Commercials?

In most cases, advertisers must obtain a sync license to ensure their commercials are compliant with copyright law. While they can acquire sync licenses from musicians directly, working with a music licensing company is often more convenient and efficient. At Universal Production Music, we streamline the licensing process to make it comprehensible to content creators. We also offer a wide selection of music, which means that you’ll have a lot more options than if you work with a single band or musician. When you find a song you love, we’ll walk you through the licensing process to ensure you’re covered for all your intended uses of the material.

When it comes to the best music for commercials and advertisements, Universal Production Music welcomes you to discover inspiration from our catalog. We make music licensing easy, while also providing you with a variety of tracks that fit every mood and desire. We can even help you develop a custom sound to ensure your commercial has the intended effect on your target audience. Contact us today to find the right genre for your next commercial production.