Are 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.
For any musical work you do not own or control and that is not in the public domain and that you intend to distribute as an audio-only recording, you will need a mechanical license authorizing you to reproduce and distribute the musical work in the formats identified in the license.
Example: If you are recording one song and distributing it both as a download and on a CD, the license will need to cover both formats. In some cases, you may need to obtain separate licenses for each format.
If you are using a recording of a musical work in audio-visual form (i.e. adding the musical work to a video), you will need a synchronization license, which can be obtained directly from the owner or administrator of the musical work. 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), it may have its own public performance license. You can inquire with them if you are unsure.