Licensing Music for your website: Short tips and Guide
One of the most common applications of music and songs is to use it as a background music for a website. Not only background music, but some websites are even using songs as their “main theme”. I have been receiving a lot of inquiries looking for songs to be licensed for usage in their own website. A lot of questions has been raised pertaining to the licensing issues in this specific application, so I find it worth the time to write a post.
Below are the procedure and steps in how you can be able to successfully/legally used a song/music for your website:
Step 1: Shop for songs in the internet that matches your theme or requirements. A thousand of ways in how you can find songs in the internet. For details, you can read my tips in finding new songs in the internet.
Step 2: OK, once you have your song. The next crucial step is to know the music publisher and master record rights holder of the song. This can be a pain. But this is a critical step to avoid the song owners and right holders chasing you and filing expensive lawsuits just for a single song.
Most of the time, the only information that is provided are the song titles and the artist. There is no information about the music publisher and the master recording rights owner. In this case, you need to research. Some music websites are vague in providing song information. However in this website (www.musicforlicense.net ), I have stressed out that I am the music publisher of the songs at the same time, the master recording rights owner (stated in my terms and conditions).
If the website information is vague, you can always contact the website owner and ask questions. You can read my post pertaining on how to get permission to use copyrighted music.
Step 3: You need to be clear on how you are going to use the song because the music publishers or recording right owners might ask you.Tell them that you are interested in using their songs for your website and that (select appropriate application) you are:
a. A commercial website that depends on their music to get profit (in this case you should be prepared to pay for performance royalties). Contact ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for details.
OR:
b. A noncommercial website compilation songs for non profit use.
You can also state if the song is used a “main theme” or just a background in one of your pages. All of these factors are used by the music publisher to decide to grant you license. In this website, I have stated in the terms and conditions that I will not allow songs to be used for website that promotes hate, violence, racism, etc. So if you download a song, you have agreed to the terms.
Some websites do not have the same process as this website, so you have to send them a mail and asked for permission. If the reply is positive and that both of you agreed in good terms. Then you can proceed to use the songs in your project. Do not forget to save a copy of your mail/or any licenses received.
Related posts:
- Music Rights for film – Short Guide to Independent film makers
- Tips in saving music licensing fees
- Podcast music licensing guide for a beginner
