Licensing Negotiations

Licensing music into TV or film is one way to get exposure, although for new artists, it will probably not be lucrative at first. When you get the call, say “Thank You! Like most things – one opportunity can lead to another one, especially in building a musical resume and ultimately building your case at the negotiating table. But don’t be too much of a “yes artist”. Always remember to avoid giving broad rights away for free as this can set a bad precedent, especially for new artists/writers, and it devaluates their work. But their can be a compromise. If a writer is eager to be involved in a project and the producer wants your material for free, try reducing the terms (instead of perpetuity, reduce the terms to 10 years; instead of all media, try for all TV or theatrical only; and instead of world rights try for U.S. only). If the producer is not agreeable, then the writer should request some sort of “step deal”. Very little money is paid upfront, but should the production be successful they compensate the writer at certain milestones. The feeling is that “if the producer starts making money, so should the writer of the music.”  

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