A synchronisation (sync) is created when music is combined with a form of visual media. For music creators, the most common sync opportunities arise in film, television, advertising and gaming.
Publishers work to place the music they represent into adverts, TV programmes, films and other productions. On the other side are music supervisors, who source music for use in those productions.
A directly negotiated agreement will be secured between the copyright owner or their agent/publisher/representative and the music supervisor/production company. Most sync licensing does not involve AMCOS, but in the limited instances where AMCOS represents the rights, AMCOS will negotiate a licence fee for the use of the song.
Synchronisations are based on an agreement for a specific song. AMCOS receives a licence request with the relevant song information included.
Distributions for synchronisations are distributed in the quarter the licence fee invoice is paid in full.
Songs:
The Copyright Act refers to compositions, musical scores in the form of sheet music, broadsheets or other notation as musical works. Lyrics or words to a song are considered literary works. When we refer to songs, we are referring to all the elements of a musical/literary work protected by copyright.
This fact sheet is a guide only. Refer to our full Distribution Rules and Practices for more information.