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| Here is a compilation of questions often asked
about Royalty Free Music. If we’ve left out your question
or if you need further clarification, call us toll-free at 1-800
HOT MUSIC, or email us at info@cssmusic.com.
We’re happy to help. |
Q: |
What is Royalty Free Music? |
A:
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Instead of a needle drop fee or laser drop fee (royalty per
use) the CSS royalty free license grants you what might be
called a “lifetime blanket”. Essentially
a lifetime blanket bundles all the possible needle drops, production
blankets and annual blankets into one 99 year term with one
upfront fee to cover a wide array of licensed uses as opposed
to separate fees for each application. Broadly speaking,
the CSS royalty free license covers licensees for their applications
in audio, AV, video, film, television, radio, multimedia,
web sites, podcasts, advertising on hold, commercials,
and tradeshows. If you’re not sure yours is a use
permitted under the CSS Standard License, please call 800-468-6874
or e-mail info@cssmusic.com for clarification |
Q:
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Does “copyright free” mean the same
as “royalty free”? |
A:
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No, the term “copyright free is a misnomer. Even
if a piece of music is in the public domain, the sound recording
is probably under copyright. Other so called “license-free” approaches
can be misleading as well. While they avoid the “work” of
signing a license agreement, they also avoid spelling out the
rights you think you are buying. |
Q:
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Is Buy-Out Music “royalty free”? |
A:
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Yes, in the sense that you pay all of your costs for bundled
licensed uses up front (cost of media or download fee + a 99
year
license to use the music. Perhaps a better term would be “royalty
up front”. |
Q:
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What kinds of things can I do with licensed CSS Music and Sound Effects? |
A:
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When produced within the terms of our Standard License, some of the things you can do include: Film, video, DVD and television productions, marketing, training and trade show presentations, corporate videos, YouTube videos, educational productions, on hold advertising and messages, radio commercial and program content, television program content, spots and promos, podcasts, live performances, audio book products, multimedia presentations, web pages, Powerpoint and Flash productions, interactive programs, AV and Point of Purchase displays and exhibits. If you don’t see your intended use listed above or need clarification about your use, please call us at 800-468-6874 or e-mail to info@cssmusic.com. |
Q:
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Are there any re-titled music tracks that appear in other libraries in the CSS /D.A.W.N. Catalog? |
A:
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No. While some libraries are built with re-titled tracks that composers make available to multiple library sites, we own all the music that we license to you. This avoids potentially cumbersome legal ramifications if questions of ownership arise under certain circumstances. |
Q:
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Is there reporting required under the CSS Standard
License Agreement? |
A:
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Generally, unlike needle drop, production blanket and annual
blanket licensing, there is no need to report your use of CSS
Music unless your particular application is one of the excluded
uses (e.g. full length theatrical motion pictures). If
your project will be broadcast, however, you must submit a
copy of the cue sheet. The CSS Standard
License Agreement is viewable at www.cssmusic.com. |
Q:
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What is a Cue Sheet? |
A:
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A Cue Sheet is a chronological listing of all music used
in a project. Please visit www.cssmusic.com to view a
cue sheet tutorial and access a downloadable cue sheet pdf. |
Q:
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What rights am I getting when I purchase royalty
free music? |
A:
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Basically with all music licensing (whether needle drop,
production blanket, annual blanket or lifetime blanket), there
are 3 rights you need: Mechanical, Synchronization and
Public Performance. The mechanical right (aka “Master
Use Right”) lets you re-record the music from a purchased
CD, download, etc.and edit and process it. The synchronization
right lets you put the music into time relationship with a
picture. Finally you need the Public Performance Right. Your
CSS Standard License provides you with all three necessary
rights. Please visit www.cssmusic.com to view the CSS
Standard License Agreement. |
Q
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Once I Buy My CSS Music, how many times can I use
it? |
A
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Unlike a needle drop, you can use a tune under the CSS
Standard License (except excluded uses) as many times as you
like, in as many productions as you like for the complete term
of the license. |
Q:
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What if my project will be broadcast. Is there
any problem? |
A:
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No problem at all. Broadcasting is permitted under the CSS Standard License with no additional charge (if you are a broadcaster, you would be covered under your arrangement with Broadcast Music Inc.). However, certain types of broadcast content (made for TV movies, network television prime time programming and national television commercials ( e.g. on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) require an additional Master Use and Sync License. If your project is a program for broadcast television (a reality show or documentary for example), a copy of the episode cue sheet must be sent to CSS Music (please see the Cue Sheet Tutorial on the cssmusic.com homepage). |
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If I am using CSS Music in a mass produced and marketed product,
how many
units may I replicate under the Standard License? |
A:
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The CSS Standard License permits duplication up to 50,000
units. Addiitional 50,000’s are available for licensure.
As of 7/2007, the rate per composition for additional 50,000’s
is $50 (with a $150 min.) Volume pricing is available, please
call
800-468-6874 for details. |
Q:
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Can I charge my clients a fee for the Music? |
A:
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You can charge your clients for the music you include in
their projects when you also add other audio and/or visual
elements. Your investment in a royalty free library from CSS
can provide you with significant added revenue. In fact, its
very possible that you’ll pay for your library purchase
with your very first production. |
Q:
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What if my friend at another facility asks if he
can use the music? |
A:
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Tell your friend that your license doesn’t cover this
use. You may not lend, share or distribute the music
(or sound effects). Your license is granted to one individual
organization or site. |
Q:
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I noticed that there are Lo-Fi versions of CSS Music selections
available. Can I use these to make a demo for my client's approval? |
A:
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Lo-Fi versions of CSS Music are available for approval purposes only.
No other use is permitted |
Q:
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Can I use CSS Music on a web site? |
A:
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Yes but only when you utilize a streaming format that prevents
the music from being used by unauthorized parties and when
the music is combined with other audio and/or visual elements
added by you, the License, and where the music is not a featured
part of any web presentation but rather an incidental or background
element. |
Q:
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Can I use CSS Music for Advertising or Message on
Hold? |
A:
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Yes. This use is specifically provided for in paragraph
2(a) for the CSS Standard License. So called “Music
on Hold” is permitted only at the site licensed. Additional “Music
on Hold” sites are licensed separately. |
Q:
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Can I use CSS Royalty Free Music for a trade
show? |
A:
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Yes, indeed, even if you are producing an AV/Video project
for a client who will actually be the exhibitor. It is a good
idea to always supply your client with a copy of your CSS license
along with your invoice. Some shows do require exhibitors to
prove their right to use music. |
Q:
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Are theatrical motion pictures covered by the
CSS Standard License? |
A:
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No, but this use is available with an additional license.
Other exclusions to the CSS Music Standard License include
Made For Television Motion Pictures, full length (60 minutes
or longer) direct to video motion pictures, network television
prime time programming (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and national television
commercials. These excluded uses are also available with
an additional license. |
Q:
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Can I add lyrics to CSS Music I purchase? |
A:
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No, this is not a permitted use. |
Q
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Can I import CSS Music into a digital sampler and
or music creation software package
in order to create new
musical compositions? |
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No, this is not a permitted use. |
Q:
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What if the CSS License changes? |
A:
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While CSS does reserve the right to change the terms of its
license agreement without notice, changes over the years have
been few. What’s important to remember is that when you
fully execute your CSS agreement, its provisions and the rights
you’ve purchased remain in effect for the full length
of its term. |
Q:
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What if I don't like the music I ordered? Can
I return it? |
A:
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Naturally, we hope you'll take advantage of Tele-trax (either
online or touch-tone phone) to assure yourself prior to ordering,
but yes, we want you to be satisfied with your purchase. Music
may be returned within 15 days of receipt by following this
procedure:
1) Please call us at (323) 666-7968 and let us know you wish to return item(s).
We won't try to talk you out of it, we just like to know what items are being
returned and to remind you of the remaining return requirements listed in #'s
2 and 3 below.
2) Prepare a brief, signed statement on your letterhead indicating that you neither
copied or used the material.
3) Return the statement and both copies of the CSS License along with the product
you are returning. Your credit card will be credited the same day we receive
your return with all necessary elements. |
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