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If you are writing songs that you want other people to record, or other people are already recording your songs, then you need to become familiar with a few basic terms of the songwriting business. When someone requests to use one of your songs, it is up to you, if you are your own publisher, to determine what type of license should be issued. Here is a brief summary of the most common types of licenses used in Gospel music.

CUSTOM LICENSE- This is a license that is usually issued to a church or individual that is paying in one lump sum.

COMMERCIAL LICENSE- This license is issued for projects where royalties will be reported and paid within 45 days from the last day of the calendar quarter.

MECHANICAL LICENSE- This license permits the production of audio (cassette, CD, DAT, etc...) recordings of copyrighted songs. Permission is required for all recording projects, whether or not the recording is being sold.

STATUTORY RATE- This is the per unit fee set forth by copyright law for mechanical licensing. The current mechanical statutory rate is .08 per song/per copy or $.0155 per minute, whichever is greater.

PHOTOCOPY LICENSE- This is the license which permits the production of photo copies, typed or hand written copies of a copyrighted song. Permission is required to make any copies of copyrighted material, whether or not the material is out of print.

MASTER USE LICENSE- This license permits the use of pre-recorded material (accompaniment tracks, ect...) on a cassette, CD, video, or DVD.
A custom license does not cover mechanical use, and a mechanical license does not cover Master use. Both licenses are required for a mechanical project in which a master recording is being used.
In other words, this license only covers the use of the pre-recorded track, but not the use of the song itself.

PRINT LICENSE- This is a license which permits the publication of lyrics and/or music to a song.

SYNCHRONIZATION LICENSE- This license permits the use of a copyrighted song in a video, movie, or television program. This license does not permit the recording to be broadcasted. That is handled by performing rights organizations. In the USA they are BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC.

If you are going to publish your own songs, then these are all terms with which you should become very familiar. It is the publisher's job to determine which kind of license should be issued when requested, and then issue it in writing, and collect all appropriate fees. If you have never before seen the need for a publisher, perhaps these terms will show a little bit of what a publisher does for a writer.

Until next time,
Keep on writing!

Daryl Williams

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