Licenses Required to Record, Use, or Perform Music You Don’t Own
Guide to mechanical, synchronization, and performance licenses, and how to obtain each one.
If you are using a recording of a musical work for a composition that you do not own or control, you will need a mechanical license for each individual recording format you plan to distribute.
Example: If you are recording one song and distributing it both as a download and on a CD, you will need two separate licenses for that composition.
If you are using a recording of a musical work in audio-visual form (i.e. Video), you will need a synchronization license, which can be obtained directly from the publisher(s) on the song/composition. HFA does not issue Synchronization Licenses.
When publicly performing a song, you will need a performance license, which can be obtained from the copyright owner. If you are performing at a public venue (bar, restaurant, club, etc), they may already have procured a performance license. You can inquire with them if you are unsure.