Using music in film and TV productions

When you use music together with moving images, e.g. in a film, commercial or documentary, you need synchronization rights. These are permissions from the creators – usually composers and lyricists – to use their musical works in this way.

This applies both to already existing music and if you commission new music directly for your production.

To obtain synchronization rights you need to:

• Identify the rights holders of the music
• Contact them or their music publisher directly to negotiate and agree a license

Stim does not handle synchronization rights. We recommend that you contact a music publisher or a music library (production music) that represents the music you want to use.

To obtain permission to publicly perform music in connection with film screenings or TV broadcasts you need a license from Stim. This applies, for example, to cinemas or TV channels broadcasting in Sweden. The Stim license covers the public performance of the music, but not the synchronization itself.

Production music, also called Library Music, is music created specifically for use in film and TV. To use this type of music you need to obtain rights directly from the music publisher that manages the music. Stim does not handle the licensing of production music.

To use music in commercials, production companies must secure the rights themselves directly from the creators or the music publisher (synchronization rights). Stim handles the compensation for music use when broadcast on TV. Music used in advertising is reported to Stim so that the correct remuneration goes to songwriters and music publishers.

Associations or companies that broadcast local TV and to some extent include music in their broadcasts need to enter into an agreement with Stim.

The agreement applies to local TV and in-house cable TV broadcasts and must be signed by each association or company before broadcasts begin. The agreement means that, for a fee, the association or company is permitted to use the entire world repertoire of music.

How is payment made?

The association or company must report their music usage once a year. The report includes the number of music hours broadcast for the previous half-year. We then send an invoice for payment in February.