MARCH 2024

Common Licensee questions

Why do I need The Rights?

The Rights streamlines the complex sync licensing process by offering a simple way to request and clear a license to use the song you want in your audiovisual production. With our behind-the-scenes comprehensive rights database you don’t need to worry about researching and contacting the rights holders - we do that for you automatically! By using The Rights, you save time, reduce hassle, and ensure you are legally cleared to use the music in your projects.

Why do I need to apply for approval to license a piece of music?

Each piece of music has two copyrights (the recording and the composition) owned by one or more different owners. All copyright holders must agree on the conditions for a synchronization use of a song in an audiovisual production (called a “sync” for short). Once a rights holder has approved the use, both the licensor and licensee must sign a license agreement with the terms governing the specific use of the music.

How does the approval process work?

Once you submit your license application, it is forwarded to the relevant copyright owners or their representatives. They review your intended use and decide whether to approve or deny your request. Once they approve or deny, you will see the status of your license request in your dashboard.

What is the average approval wait time?

The average wait time is usually 5-7 business days, but it can vary depending on the responsiveness of the rights owners. We will keep you updated along the way.

What do I do if my license application is rejected?

If your application is rejected, you will need to either select a different piece of music or resubmit the request with new terms taking into account any provided reasons for the denial.

Who reviews my application?

Your application is reviewed by the copyright owners or their designated representatives.

Where can I see my approval status?

Your approval status can be viewed in your user dashboard under the “My Licenses” section.

Where can I see my license applications?

All your license applications are listed in your user dashboard under the “My Licenses” tab.

Will I be notified once my license is approved?

Yes, you will receive an email notification once your license is approved.

How long does an application review take?

Typically, it takes 5-7 business days for an application review, but this can vary.

If my application is rejected, what can I do? Is there an appeal process?

If rejected, feel free to contact The Rights at support@therights.com and we will be happy to review manually and see if we can help.

Can I get a refund?

Refunds are given on a case-by-case basis. If there was an error on our end, we will process a refund. If the reason is external to our platform, it will be evaluated individually.

My production was canceled, can I get a partial refund?

Refunds for canceled productions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We encourage reaching out to our support team for assistance at support@therights.com.

Can I get a credit if I don’t use the music for the full period of the license?

Currently, we don't offer credits for unused portions of the license. It's essential to accurately estimate the duration of your use when applying.

I didn’t use the music I paid for. Can I get a refund?

Refunds for unused music licenses are considered individually. Please contact our support team with the details at support@therights.com.

Can I cancel or modify a request I made through The Rights? How do I cancel a license request? When do cancellations go into effect?

You may be able to cancel or modify an order before it's been approved. To request a cancellation or modification, navigate to your “Pending Licenses” tab in your dashboard and select 'Request to Cancel' or ‘Request to Modify.’ We will evaluate your request to cancel or modify, and advise whether it can be accommodated.

Does The Rights grant licensing outside of the US? What if my production is not based in the US?

Yes, The Rights operates globally. If your production is based outside the US, just specify the territory during the application process. Licensors vary depending on the territory where the production originated, so be sure to include your address in the application form so we can route your request to the appropriate parties.

Why do I need a LinkedIn account? What can I do if I don’t have a LinkedIn account?

LinkedIn accounts help us verify the professional backgrounds of our users to ensure a trustworthy community. If you don't have a LinkedIn account, you can register with your professional email and provide additional verification if requested.

Why does a 3 month license sometimes cost the same as a 1 year license?

License costs can vary based on several factors, including the prominence of the music piece, demand, or specific terms set by rights holders. It's not always based solely on the duration.

Why doesn’t the “Other” use category estimate show a range?

The "Other" category is a catch-all for unique use cases, so we can't provide a standard estimate without more specific details. Once provided, we can work with rights holders to get a more accurate quote.

Why does the button usually say “Request Quote” but sometimes says “Seek Clearance” when I select a song?

The "Seek Clearance" button appears when all relevant rights holders have pre-set terms under which they will grant licenses, but it is subject to a final approval. In these cases, while the application process is more streamlined, it doesn't finalize the purchase until after approval.

Why does the button say “Buy Now” when I’m just asking for a quote and asking to be approved?

The "Buy Now" button appears when all relevant rights holders have pre-set terms under which they will grant licenses and the licenses can be purchased without additional approvals. These songs are the easiest to license using The Rights. Once you complete the license application form, a license will be generated and you will be able to purchase/finalize instantly.

Why do I need to select “Publishing” and “Recording” under “Advanced Features” in a quote request?

Both of these options are pre-selected and the most common setting. If you’re unsure, leave these boxes checked. Music has two types of copyrights: (1) sound recordings (the recorded music you hear on streaming services, radio, etc.), and (2) musical compositions (the songs that are recorded on sound recordings, or performed live, and are usually administered by music publishers). If you are using an existing recording and you need The RIghts to contact all relevant owners of both types of copyrights (most common), you should leave both boxes checked. If you recorded your own cover version of the song being requested (in which case, you should provide this information in your description), or you have already been in touch with the owners of the sound recording and don’t need The Rights to handle that for you, you should only select “Publishing” and un-select “Recording.” If you have already been in touch with the music publisher(s) and just need The RIghts to contact the administrators of the sound recording rights (often record labels or distributors), you should only select “Recording” and un-select “Publishing.” Please contact support@therights.com if you have any questions.

What does “MFN with master/co-publishers” mean?

License fee quotes for music rights are typically requested and provided on a "most favored nations" or "MFN" basis with the other owners of copyright associated with the music. Music rights are often owned by multiple parties, and The Rights is backed by a database of ownership rights and contact information that allows us to route your request to the respective owners, asking them to provide proposed license fees, or quotes, they would be willing to accept for the proposed use. By granting and requesting on an MFN basis, the quotes are automatically adjusted if any of the co-owners of the music rights quote a higher price. This is an efficient way that owners can come to consensus on a single price for music rights. You always have the ability to reject a proposed quote and fees will almost always be quoted on an MFN basis, anyway.

Does The Rights share or sell my information to third parties? Who has access to the details of my Production?

No, The Rights does not sell or share your information with third parties. Only the necessary parties involved in the licensing process will have access to your production details.

How can I update production details, if they change? Can I add a temporary title for my production and edit it later?

You can edit production details from your dashboard until the license is approved. Temporary titles can be added and changed later before the approval. You will be required to provide your legal name, address, project title and release date prior to generating a final license.

What does “brand associations” mean and why does it matter?

"Brand associations" refers to brands that are associated or sponsoring your production. Some rights holders want to know this to ensure their music isn't used in contexts they might find objectionable. While it's an additional layer of information and licensors may charge higher fees, it doesn't necessarily hinder approval.

If I don’t have any brands supporting my project yet can I still get approved? Does having brands associated with my project impact me being approved for a license? Why does having brand associations matter to approvers?

Yes, you can still get approved without brand associations. Having brands can influence certain licensors' decisions, but it's not a universal criterion. It is important that any brand associations are disclosed in your license application because some licensors might have preferences or restrictions based on brand elements. Productions containing brand associations are likely to be quoted much higher license fees than productions without brand associations.

What happens if I don’t provide any additional information about my project?

You should provide as much information as possible about your project. If you know your music budget, production budget, actors/hosts, distribution plans, etc., you should provide all of this information as it will help the licensors evaluate your request. Some licensors may request this additional information prior to providing a quote, anyway.

Where can I change my password?

Navigate to 'Account Settings' in your dashboard, and you'll find an option to change your password.

How do I update my email address?

Go to 'Account Settings' in your dashboard, where you can update your registered email.

Where can I see my purchase history?

Your purchase history is available under the 'My Licenses' tab in your dashboard.

I have a dispute with a licensor. Can The Rights help me?

Absolutely! If you encounter issues with a licensor, please reach out to our support team. We aim to help to resolve any issues and ensure a smooth experience for our users.

I can’t find the song/piece of music I want. What can I do? How often does The Rights update its catalog of music choices?

If you can't find a specific song, reach out to our support team for assistance at support@therights.com. Our database of music is continuously updated but for some music we are required to seek clearances offline.

How do I show that the music I’m using in my production is licensed?

Once your license is approved, you'll receive a license agreement that you can present as proof of your rights to use the music.

Do I need to give credit in my production to The Rights for helping me supply the music?

While not mandatory, crediting The Rights is always appreciated! You can credit The Rights as follows: “Music clearance and licensing support provided by The Rights (www.therights.com).”

Frequently Asked Licensor Questions

Why do I need The Rights?

For licensors, there is a huge amount of paperwork and back and forth communication in connection with clearing any sync use. You have to answer an incoming email request with clarifying questions, issue a quote document, then a license, generate an invoice and follow up for payment. This means that for licensors (i.e. labels and publishers), low fee licenses are not profitable because of the manual work it takes to complete a license. The Rights offers a streamlined platform for licensors like you to easily manage, license, and collect fees for syncs you issue. Think of it as a quoting and document e-sign platform tailor made for sync licensing. Finally licensors have a system to handle the ever-increasing volume of sync requests.

How can I get access to The Rights as a licensor?

Indeed, the licensor experience on The Rights is much different than the licensee experience. At this time, we need to validate that each user is an authorized representative of the applicable rights holder before granting access to licensor accounts. Please contact us at support@therights.com to start the validation process.

I saw my music on The Rights. How did you get it?

The Rights offers a directory service that allows licensees to locate the rights holders of the music they want to use, and provide all relevant information needed for those rights holders to evaluate their quote request. The Rights uses multiple public and proprietary data sets to determine rights holders and has over 13 million fully-matched (i.e., publishing and master side) songs available on the platform. Some rights holders actively participate on The Rights platform and they are able to streamline their quoting, clearance and licensing/payment processes directly using The RIghts. For those rights holders who are not on the platform, The Rights automates sending emails and quote request letters the more traditional way to request quotes for these titles. We are always expanding and improving the accuracy of this data set, and actively seeking additional licensor partners. Contact us at support@therights.com to get set up! Please also contact us if you’d like to request that The Rights remove your repertoire from the platform completely.

How does The Rights make licensing easier for Licensors?

The Rights simplifies the licensing process by handling every aspect of the sync license administration process. From guiding the licensee to gather all necessary information and generating and facilitating electronic document signatures to processing payments upfront so licensors don’t have to issue invoices and chase accounts receivable, The Rights manages the administrative tasks to make each sync more profitable.

How much will it cost me to use The Rights platform?

There are no costs for licensors to clear syncs through The Rights.

Is The Rights a Subscription service?

No, The Rights is not a subscription service at this time.

Does The Rights take a percentage of the licensing fee?

No, The Rights charges the licensee a small service fee for facilitating the transaction and providing the platform's services. This percentage helps cover operational costs and ensures ongoing platform development.

Where can I find my dashboard?

After logging into your account on The Rights, you can access your dashboard from the main navigation or through a direct link labeled "Licenses".

What information can I see from my dashboard?

Your dashboard provides insights into your pending, active and archived licenses and payment. It's a comprehensive overview of your interactions on the platform.

Can I use The Rights platform to track my customers’ payments?

Yes, for every completed license, the licensee must pay upfront. You can see all completed licenses in the “Active Licenses” tab.

How can I advertise that my music is available on The Rights?

Send an email to support@therights.com and ask us to set up a storefront with your catalog. Then you can add that link to your website and direct any potential licensees to your page.

How can I make my music available on The Rights?

We have over 15 million songs listed on The Rights, and growing all the time. With that in mind, your music may already be available. If you search and find your music isn’t up, please send an email to support@therights.com and we’ll work with you to get your catalog online.

Where do I send a DMCA notification?

DMCA notifications can be sent to support@therights.com.

Can The Rights guarantee that my content will be used legally?

While The Rights does its utmost to ensure legal use by providing proper licensing documentation to licensees, it's ultimately the responsibility of licensees to adhere to the license terms. The Rights, however, can support you to address any violations promptly.

Can The Rights help me if I have a dispute with one of their licensees?

Absolutely! The Rights values its licensors and is here to assist in resolving any disputes that arise between parties using the platform. Just email support@therights.com and we’ll help you right away.

How does The Rights platform security prevent piracy?

Besides advanced encryption, The Rights uses watermarked previews, restricted download access, and continuous monitoring of web activities related to its content. These combined efforts significantly reduce the risk of piracy.

We hope this clarifies your questions as a licensor.
For further queries, please reach out to our support team at The Rights!

"About The Rights" Questions

How does The Rights make money?

The Rights generates revenue by charging a 10% service fee to the licensee for each licensing transaction facilitated through the platform. This fee covers the operational costs and ensures ongoing development of the platform.

How does The Rights help creators?

The Rights simplifies the music licensing process for creators, allowing them to search, request, and obtain clearances for music tracks as swiftly as possible. We aim to offer a simple way to get a license from the world’s catalog of commercial music, offering creators the opportunity to enhance their productions with the songs they actually want to use.

How does The Rights help brands?

Brands can benefit from The Rights by efficiently licensing music for their advertisements, campaigns, events, or influencer videos. With a streamlined process, brands can ensure that they have a simple way to clear the most culturally-relevant music, thereby enhancing their brand image and avoiding potential legal issues.

How does The Rights help music licensors?

For music licensors, The Rights offers a scalable synchronization licensing solution, removing the administrative bottleneck for labels and publishers that prevents licensees from using first-choice commercial music. Licensors can finally profit from the accelerating volume of productions by offloading the manual paperwork and accounts receivable functions to The Rights.

How does The Rights use my project information?

The Rights uses your project information to tailor the licensing process, ensuring that the terms and conditions match your specific needs. Additionally, this information helps licensors understand the context in which their music will be used, enabling them to make informed decisions about licensing fees and approvals. We maintain strict data privacy practices to ensure the confidentiality and security of your project information.

Does The Rights sell customer information?

No, The Rights values customer privacy and does not sell, trade, or rent customer information to third parties.

What is a “Clearance Client”?

A "Clearance Client" or “licensee” refers to an individual or entity using The Rights platform specifically to obtain clearances or permissions to use a particular piece of music in their projects. These clients are seeking the proper legal rights to incorporate a song or track into their work, ensuring they adhere to copyright laws and avoid potential infringements.

For any other concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team at The Rights at support@therights.com

General Licensing Questions

Who needs a music license?

Anyone who wants to use copyrighted music in their productions, whether it's for film, TV, commercials, public performances, radio, or digital content, requires a music license.

How does music licensing work?

Music licensing, also called synchronization licensing or “sync” for short, is the process by which the owner of a copyrighted piece of music grants permission for its use in exchange for a fee or royalty. There are two separate copyrights for every piece of recorded music - the composition and the recording of that composition. Typically there are different companies that control the composition and recording and often multiple publishers that control a single song. A license must be executed with each party before it can be used in a production. The Rights simplifies the process by simultaneously clearing the rights to us the music with all rightsholders.

What is a music license?

A music license is a legal agreement that grants permission to use copyrighted music in certain ways, for a specified duration and within certain parameters. The Rights facilitates a certain use for music called synchronization or “sync,” which allows for the right to use music in a third party production.

Where can I use a music license?

With respect to a synchronization license, which is the type you get from The Rights, you have the right to use the music in a production that will be distributed in the specific medium listed in your license. Examples include TV, film, commercials, radio broadcasts, live performances, websites, social media platforms, and more.

Do I need a license to use only part of a song?

Yes, even if you use a short snippet or segment of a song, a license is required.

Do I need a license to use music on a personal website?

Yes, regardless of whether the website is personal or commercial, you'll need a license to use copyrighted music.

Do I need a license to use music on a short video that’s for personal use?

Yes, even for personal videos, if you're using copyrighted music, you should obtain a license to avoid potential legal complications.

What happens if I use pirated music on my production?

Using pirated music can result in legal consequences, including lawsuits, fines, and damage to your reputation.

What is copyright infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when copyrighted material is used without obtaining the necessary permissions or licenses from the rightful owners.

Are music licenses valid outside of the United States?

This depends on the terms of the license. Some licenses are global, while others might be restricted to specific territories.

How long does a license last?

License durations vary. Some are short-term, while others may last indefinitely. Always refer to the license agreement's terms for specifics.

Can I use the same license on more than one project or production?

Generally, a license is specific to one particular project. If you wish to use the music in another project, a new license is typically required.

Does The Rights guarantee the legitimacy of each license?

Yes, The Rights ensures that all licenses acquired through its platform are valid and come directly from the rights holders or their representatives.

Are licenses transferable?

Typically, licenses are not transferable. They're specific to the licensee and the outlined use.

Can I transfer my license to another person?

No, licenses are usually issued to a specific entity or individual and cannot be transferred.

Can I transfer my license to a different production of mine?

No, each license is specific to the project mentioned in the agreement. A new license is needed for a different production.

If my production ends early, can I use the music license on another production without reapplying?

No, the license is specific to the original production. For another project, a new license is required.

What is the process to buy a license on The Rights?

Users can search for music, request a quote, fill in the specifics of their project, and once approved, make the payment to obtain the license.

What payment methods are accepted?

The Rights accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and other online payment platforms.

Where can I find the status of my license application?

The status can be checked in the “My Licenses” dashboard under the "Pending" section.

If my license application is approved, how long can I wait to accept the quote?

Generally, licensors take between 1 to 2 weeks to respond, although it’s reasonably common for the larger companies to take longer than that. We actively follow up on your behalf to ensure the quickest response.

If my license is approved, am I automatically charged?

No, users will need to manually accept and make the payment.

If my license is approved, do I need to accept it to start the clock on the license term?

The license term will start from the date of release of the production, which you input during the licensing process.

Will I get a reminder when my licensing period is coming to an end?

Yes, The Rights sends out notifications to users as their licensing period nears its end.

Can I set a license to automatically renew?

This depends on the terms set by the licensor. Some licenses may offer an auto-renewal option.

Do I have to reapply to use the same piece of music on the same production?

If the original license term has ended and you wish to continue using the music, you will need to renew through reapplication.

Do I need to go through the full application process for every piece of music I want to use?

Yes, however, you are able to save your contact and project information to make it faster if you’re licensing multiple songs for the some production.

My application for a license was rejected. What can I do?

You can either choose another piece of music or email us at support@therights.com and we can discuss other options.

What reasons could a reviewer have for rejecting my application?

A licensor can reject a license request for any reason. Common reasons include, inability to get approval from the artist or songwriter or proposed budget is far lower than what would be acceptable.

Can licensors raise their price after I buy a license?

No, once you've secured a license, the agreed-upon price is locked in for the duration of that license.

If licensors lower their price during my active license time window, can I apply for a prorated reimbursement?

Typically, no. Once a license is acquired, any subsequent price changes won't affect the initial agreement.

Remember, always consult with legal counsel or professionals when it comes to specific licensing scenarios or questions. The Rights is here to facilitate the process, but specific terms and conditions will always depend on the agreement between the licensee and licensor.

"My Account" Questions

Where can I find my account info?

You can find your account information in the "Account/Account Settings" section after you log in to The Rights platform.

How do I update my production information?

Contact us at support@therights.com if you need to make any updates after submitting a license application.

How do I change my password?

In the  "Account/Account Settings" section, click the "Change Password" button and follow the prompts to update your password.

Where can I see my license approval status?

Your license approval status can be checked in the “My Licenses” dashboard under the "Pending" section.

Can I see my past payment history?

Your payment history can be viewed in the “My Deals” section along with detailed information of your past transactions.

Always remember to periodically check your account details and ensure all information is up-to-date.
If ever in doubt or needing assistance, The Rights' customer service is there to assist you.

"Technical Questions List"

My application for a license was approved. What’s next?

Congratulations! Once your application is approved, you should receive an email with the next steps. Just log in, navigate to “My Licenses/Pending” and press the “Purchase” button. At that point, you will enter in your payment details, agree to the terms of the license and you’re all set.

Why can’t I see the song I’m searching for?

Although we have millions of songs available to search and license, you may not find the song you want from time to time. In the event this happens please send an email to support@therights.com and we’ll help you out.

Who can I contact with technical issues?

For technical issues, you can reach out to The Rights' technical support team at support@therights.com.