How do I license a mashup or medley?

A mashup or medley combines multiple songs into a new arrangement, which makes it a derivative work. Derivative works are not covered by a standard license and require the publisher's approval before you can use them.

To start a request, send us:

• An MP3 of the complete work, or a printed copy of the arrangement, for the publisher's review
• The percentage share you hope to claim in the derivative, if any

What to expect:

• The publisher must approve the use. Approval is not guaranteed.
• The publisher may claim ownership of the derivative based on its share of the original song.
• The publisher may charge a derivative registration fee, often around $1,000. This fee is non-refundable and non-recoupable, and it is in addition to the royalties owed for the use.

You are also responsible for clearing every other song in your mashup or medley, and any co-publishers of the songs we administer. Our approval covers only the shares we control.

Three things to confirm before publishing

• "May claim full ownership based on their share" reads as a contradiction. Full ownership and a proportional share are different outcomes. I wrote it as proportional, but change it if the publisher can actually claim 100%.
• "Averaging $1,000.00 (based on 100% of the derivative)" is unclear to a licensee. Does a publisher controlling 25% charge $250, or is $1,000 the flat figure regardless? Worth stating plainly, or dropping the dollar figure entirely if it varies too much to quote.
• Typos in the source: "Since you requesting" and "no-recoupable."