Sync Licensing FAQ
Sync & Licensing FAQ
Professional guidance on managing your Stephen Allen Music Group® license.
What is "Sync" Licensing?
A synchronization (Sync) license is required when you want to "sync" music with visual media—such as a film, television show, commercial, or video game. While your beat license covers digital streaming (Spotify/Apple Music), sync rights require a separate agreement and a fee split between the Artist and Producer.
General Licensing Questions
Q: Can I use a "Free Download" beat for my YouTube vlog? A: No. Free downloads are for "Reference and Demo" purposes only. For any monetized content—including vlogs, podcasts, or social media ads—you must purchase at least an MP3 Lease.
Q: What happens if I exceed my stream limit (e.g., 5,000 streams on an MP3 Lease)? A: Congratulations! Your record is growing. To stay in legal compliance, you must visit the store and "Upgrade" your license. You simply pay the difference to move to the WAV or Stems tier.
Q: Does my license expire? A: For MP3 and WAV leases, the license is valid for two (2) years or until the stream limit is reached. Stems, Exclusive, and Custom licenses are Perpetual (they never expire).
YouTube & Content ID
Q: Why did I get a "Copyright Claim" on YouTube? A: This is a standard automated process. If you have an Exclusive license, simply email your video link to our support team, and we will "whitelist" your channel. For Custom beats, our 50/50 revenue partnership ensures we both benefit from the video's success.
Q: What is a "Cure Clause"? A: If your distributor (like DistroKid or TuneCore) automatically registers your song for Content ID against our terms, you have a 48-hour "Cure" period to remove that claim or add Stephen Allen Music as the 50% owner. Failure to do so renders the license null and void.
Publishing & The MLC
Q: Do I really have to register with BMI and The MLC? A: Yes. It is a mandatory requirement of all paid licenses. This ensures that the "Mechanical" and "Performance" royalties are paid out correctly by law. Without this registration, your license is not fully executed.
Q: What is your IPI Number? A: For all registrations, use: Stephen Allen Mackey | BMI IPI: 590033568.
Custom Beat Partnerships
Q: How does the 50/50 split work on Custom Beats? A: For custom work, we operate as a 50/50 revenue partnership. This includes all backend revenue: Publishing, Mechanicals, and YouTube Content ID. This is our most "pro-artist" license, designed for long-term collaboration.
Still have questions?
If you are currently negotiating a sync deal with a network or brand and need a signed Sync Clearance, please contact us immediately at: [StephenAllen@stephenallenmusic.com]
