Which license is required to pair a musical composition with a visual sequence in film or television?

Which license is required to pair a musical composition with a visual sequence in film or television?

• A. Printing sheet music for sale
• B. Public performance of a song in concert
• C. Reproducing a song on a CD under a mechanical license
• D. Pairing a musical composition with a visual sequence in a film or TV show

Answer: (D)

Synchronizing music with moving images in film or television is handled through a synchronization license. This grant specifically allows you to pair a musical composition with a visual sequence, effectively syncing the music to the on-screen action. It’s different from licenses for printing sheet music (which covers copying the score for sale), public performance (which covers playing the music in concert or over the air), or mechanical reproduction (which covers making copies like CDs). If you plan to use a particular recording along with the composition, you’d also need a separate master-use license for that recording in addition to the sync license.

Synchronizing music with moving images in film or television is handled through a synchronization license. This grant specifically allows you to pair a musical composition with a visual sequence, effectively syncing the music to the on-screen action. It’s different from licenses for printing sheet music (which covers copying the score for sale), public performance (which covers playing the music in concert or over the air), or mechanical reproduction (which covers making copies like CDs). If you plan to use a particular recording along with the composition, you’d also need a separate master-use license for that recording in addition to the sync license.