How can I check who owns Publishing and Master Rights for a song?

To check who holds publishing and master rights you can view ASCAP’s Repertory.

What rights do I need to clear to use a song in my video?

There are two separate rights that you should clear when looking to synchronise a song with any visuals.

• The first are publishing rights, which are for the composition and lyrics. This can be licensed from the music publisher who represents the writer of the song.
• The second are the master rights, which are for the actual sound recording. This can be licensed from the record label that represents the artist who recorded the song.

I’m not sure if I will use the song yet but just want a cost – how much is it?

Our fees are based on the terms that you request, and so our synchronisation form will need to be completed before we are able to provide a quote.

How long does it take to seek clearance?

As a rule of thumb we generally advise to allow a minimum of two weeks, although the majority of our catalogue can be cleared in a shorter time frame. This is only a guide and request times can vary depending on which song you are looking to use or even the type of request.

How can I speed up the process?

The main way to ensure your request isn’t delayed is by providing as much information as possible. If we need to get back to you to confirm details this may slow the progress down.