How does the licensing process work?

Once you complete and submit our UMG sound recording license request form, your request will be processed by our team and directed to the applicable team member to further assist. You may then be contacted about rights and fees for your specific use. Once we’ve obtained all necessary consents and the recording use has been approved , we will issue a license and invoice for signature and payment. Please note, payment may be required before a license can be issued.

All In vs. Per Side – “All In” means the budget for the sound recording AND publishing (composition) combined while “Per Side” refers to your budget for each side of the recording (sound recording and publishing). Clearance – The process of obtaining all required permissions to license the use of copyrighted music and/or recordings. Master Use License – The formal agreement issued by the copyright holder of the recording granting the necessary rights to use a recording. Media Rights – Medium in which a project will be exploited (e.g. TV, Film, Internet, Live Stage, etc.). Nominal Fee – A minimal administrative licensing fee charged for our team to generate a licensing agreement. Remix – A new version of an existing recording created by altering, rearranging, or adding to the original audio. Sample – A portion of an existing sound recording incorporated into a new recording. Synchronization License – The formal agreement issued by the copyright holder of the composition granting the necessary rights to use the composition in an audio-visual production. Term – Length of time you intend to distribute your project (e.g. 1 year, 5 years, perpetuity). Please note that the term requested will have a direct impact on the license fee quoted. Arrangements can be made for a short initial term with additional terms negotiated as options, thus saving up-front costs. Territory – The territory within which you intend to distribute your project (e.g. limited to a specific city/state, United States, United States and Canada, Worldwide). For all internet uses, the territory is Worldwide. Please note that the territory requested will have a direct impact on the license fee quoted. Arrangements can be made for limited media up front with additional media negotiated as options, thus saving up-front costs (e.g. initial license would only cover film festivals, with additional separate options for distribution in television and home video).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the licensing process work?

Once you complete and submit our UMG sound recording license request form, your request will be processed by our team and directed to the applicable team member to further assist. You may then be contacted about rights and fees for your specific use. Once we’ve obtained all necessary consents and the recording use has been approved, we will issue a license and invoice for signature and payment. Please note, payment may be required before a license can be issued.
Explanation of Terms

All In vs. Per Side – “All In” means the budget for the sound recording AND publishing (composition) combined while “Per Side” refers to your budget for each side of the recording (sound recording and publishing).

Clearance – The process of obtaining all required permissions to license the use of copyrighted music and/or recordings.

Master Use License – The formal agreement issued by the copyright holder of the recording granting the necessary rights to use a recording.

Media Rights – Medium in which a project will be exploited (e.g. TV, Film, Internet, Live Stage, etc.).

Nominal Fee – A minimal administrative licensing fee charged for our team to generate a licensing agreement.

Remix – A new version of an existing recording created by altering, rearranging, or adding to the original audio.

Sample – A portion of an existing sound recording incorporated into a new recording.

Synchronization License – The formal agreement issued by the copyright holder of the composition granting the necessary rights to use the composition in an audio-visual production.

Term – Length of time you intend to distribute your project (e.g. 1 year, 5 years, perpetuity). Please note that the term requested will have a direct impact on the license fee quoted. Arrangements can be made for a short initial term with additional terms negotiated as options, thus saving up-front costs.

Territory – The territory within which you intend to distribute your project (e.g. limited to a specific city/state, United States, United States and Canada, Worldwide). For all internet uses, the territory is Worldwide. Please note that the territory requested will have a direct impact on the license fee quoted. Arrangements can be made for limited media up front with additional media negotiated as options, thus saving up-front costs (e.g. initial license would only cover film festivals, with additional separate options for distribution in television and home video).
What is the difference between sound recording and publishing?

A sound recording (or master) is the original recorded performance of a song, while publishing refers to the underlying musical composition, including the music and lyrics. If you use an existing recording in your project, you will need permission for both the sound recording (what we control) and the publishing rights from the applicable rights holders.

To find publisher information for the composition(s) you want to license, please visit ascap, bmi, sesac, and the mlc.
When do I need permission from a music publisher?

Permission from the publisher is required when you are using the composition of a song comprising of the lyrics and/or melody. This includes making your own recording of a song, using lyrics in a project, or utilizing sheet music. Additionally, if you are using any sound recording in a project, you will need a publishing license as well. These rights are typically controlled by the songwriter or music publisher.

To find publisher information for the composition(s) you want to license, please visit ascap, bmi, sesac, and the mlc.
How can I find information about rights holders of a sound recording?

You may conduct preliminary rights research using the song credits on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. Locate the ℗ symbol which notes the owner of the sound recording copyright. You may also search for label information on Discogs (https://www.discogs.com/). You can confirm this information with us when you seek a license.
Can I submit a request for any globally owned UMG recording(s)?

Yes, you may submit a request for all global UMG recordings using the licensing request form.
Can I submit a request if I am based outside of the US?

Yes, requests may be submitted from anywhere in the world. Please provide accurate details about your intended use, including territories where the music will be used and what country you are requesting from so that your request can be routed to the appropriate contact.
When would I need a license?

Most all rebroadcasts or reproductions of any kind require a master use and/or synchronization license, however there are exceptions for example: use on public broadcasting channels, classroom uses for educational purposes, private unlisted YouTube links, non-branded user generated content on social media using a recording selected from the platform music library, and more. If you are unsure whether your project requires a license, send us a message on our Contact Us page.
What does Most Favored Nations (MFN) mean?

Each recording has two sides: the sound recording and the publishing (the composition). We represent the sound recording and often approve all terms and fees on a most favored nations (MFN) basis with publishing. This means that whichever side (sound recording or publishing) quotes a higher amount determines the fee for both sides. So if we (the recording) quote $1,000, but publishing quotes you $3,000, then you will have to pay the recording side $3,000 and the publishing $3,000, for a total of $6,000.
Is it possible to request rights for gratis (free) depending on the use?

Licensing rights cannot be granted for gratis (free) use. Each request will minimally incur a nominal administrative fee, and additional union fees may apply.

The only circumstance where the music is gratis (free) is when a license is not required.
Can I request clearance for a music video and album artwork?

If you are looking to use a music video and/or album artwork, fill out the licensing request form. For these requests, please select “Other” under project type.
How do I request a sample clearance?

To request a sample clearance, submit a formal request through the licensing request form.

DISCLAIMER: If the sample includes both the sound recording and the underlying composition, approvals must be obtained from both the master recording owner and the music publisher(s).
What’s the difference between a sample and an interpolation?

A sample uses a portion of an existing sound recording in a new recording. An interpolation recreates or re-records a portion of an existing composition without using the original sound recording. A sample clearance requires a license for the use of the recording (generally obtained from the label) and the composition (obtained from the publisher or songwriter). An interpolation only requires a license for the use of the composition (obtained from the publisher/songwriter).
What are union fees?
SAG/AFTRA and AFM fees apply when licensing the majority of recordings in the US. These fees exist to compensate the musicians and vocalists for their work when their recordings are “re-used” in other mediums. Our office doesn’t handle union fees, but for specific new-use/re-use fee information you can contact SAG/AFTRA (SRLicenses@sagaftra.org) and/or the AFM (licensing@afm.org).

Quotes issued by UMG do not include any third-party payments for which you are responsible as a result of your use of the sound recording, including but not limited to SAG/AFTRA, AFM or other union obligations and requirements.

If you require any additional information, please address the following emails:
- For new use fee specific questions – NewUseFees@umusic.com
- For general union questions – LaborRelations@umusic.com
What is the turnaround time for a license request?

While we do our best to process license requests as quickly as possible, we do receive a very high volume of requests and yours will be processed in the order in which it is received. Please allow up to two weeks to receive a response from our team. If at that time you have not heard back, feel free to follow up with us at licensinginfo@umusic.com. We thank you for your patience!