Covers Songs was created to bring iconic songs for use in TV, advertising, trailers and film.
Our expert team is here to support you throughout the licensing process and/ or commission a bespoke cover.

Contact: Lorna Hall

Music clearance

To use any music in any audio-visual production you would need to seek approval (i.e. ‘clear’) from all the rights owners (i.e. publisher and label) of a song/ piece of music.
By purchasing a licence from the rights owner or its representative a piece of music is cleared to be used in that production under the agreed terms.

Music rights/ copyrights

All songs and compositions are typically made out of two equal sets of rights- master (sound recording) and publishing (intellectual property).

Master rights

The actual sound recording (recorded version) of a specific song or composition.
This set of rights is usually controlled by record labels.

Publishing rights

The intellectual property contained within a song or composition.
This set of rights is usually controlled by music publishers.

Cover song

A new recording or performance of a song by an artist other than the original composer or performer(s).
A cover version of a song creates a new master (sound recording) right, but retains the same publishing rights (intellectual property).

Synchronisation

The physical action of putting music to audio-visual content.

Public domain

A musical work or sound recording comes into the public domain when its copyright expires. Publishing and master rights differ in their expiration terms and vary around the world. In the UK, the master right usually expires after 50 years, and the publishing rights expire 70 years after the composer/ songwriter’s death.

MFN (Most Favoured Nations)

A term meaning each nation will be treated equally and without preference. Within music licensing/ negotiations, this means all music rights holders (publishing and master) of a song/ composition used in audio-visual content will be awarded the same licensing fee.

Public performance

Any music played or performed in a public place (e.g. restaurant, music venue), or transmitted to the public via TV, radio, digital service providers etc.
A licence from the relevant PRO is usually required.

PRO (Performance Rights Organisation)

Responsible for collecting income on behalf of songwriters/ composers and publishers when a song is publicly broadcast or performed. 

Term

The amount of time the licence is valid for. This can be a one-off, an agreed period or in-perpetuity.

In perpetuity

The licence has no expiration and will be valid forever.

Distribution territory

The agreed territories in which the audio-visual content can be broadcast/ performed in. This can be a specific country(ies), continent(s) or worldwide.

Synchronisation territory

The agreed territory(ies) in which the song or composition can be added to picture in audio-visual content. This can be specific countries, continents or worldwide.