Definition
Sync License
The license required to pair a piece of music with visual media — film, TV, ads, games, social platforms.
A sync ('synchronization') license grants the right to synchronize a composition with moving images. Pairs with a separate master-use license for the specific recording. Both must be cleared independently — sync clears the composition, master-use clears the master.
Negotiated directly between the music user (production company, brand, platform) and the rights holders (publishers for sync, labels or master owners for master-use). One of the few music revenue streams not capped by statute, which is why sync fees range from $0 to seven figures.
Increasingly handled via sync libraries and pre-cleared catalogs to avoid the dual-clearance bottleneck.