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FAQ

What is Limelight and what does it do?
Limelight provides artists, record labels, worship groups, a cappella ensembles and the like with an easy way to clear cover songs. Limelight is the simplest way to secure a mechanical license and pays mechanical royalties to songwriters and publishers on your behalf for digital, physical, and ringtone releases.
Why do I need a mechanical license?
Just like you need a license to drive a car, fly an airplane, or sell real estate -- it’s the law! Copyright Law requires artists and labels to obtain a mechanical license before distributing a recording containing any song/composition they didn’t write.
What is a mechanical license?
A mechanical license is an agreement that allows users to record and distribute a composition they don’t control. Many publishers require a separate license for each physical and digital use.
How much does Limelight cost?
For a full service breakdown, please visit our pricing page
How does Limelight pricing work?
There are two fees involved with Limelight – the $15 per license service fee (which is discounted as you clear more songs or configurations), and the publishing royalties.  The publishing royalty is a statutory rate set by law at 9.1 cents per unit for all recordings up to 5 minutes, and 1.75 cents. For a full service breakdown, please visit our pricing page.
Does Limelight offer any discounts?
Absolutely! The more songs and configurations you license, the greater discount you receive.  Our pricing page provides the latest pricing information. We also run various promotional campaigns where you can receive discount coupons, so keep an eye out on Facebook (facebook.com/coversong), Twitter (twitter.com/coversong), and our email newsletters!
How do I get a mechanical license for digital, physical, or ringtone releases?
Very simple!  You can create a free account on Limelight (www.songclearance.com) and start by entering the name(s) of the cover song(s) you’re looking to record.  From there you can select the configurations (digital, physical, and/or ringtone) you’d like to clear and how many units you’d like to pre-pay publishing.
What happens after I place my order through Limelight?
Our research and licensing specialists review each order individually, researching the appropriate copyright owner information (including songwriter and publisher) and secure your license(s).  This process takes approximately 10-15 business days from start to finish, at which time your licenses will be available in PDF format for download.  You can always check the status of your order by logging into your account on Limelight, clicking “My Account” and “My Orders” to view order detail and download licenses.
How long does the licensing process typically take ?
Limelight is able to secure most licenses within 10-15 business days.  We ask that you use Limelight as early in your release schedule as possible, however in almost all instances 10-15 business days is sufficient for our licensing team to research, confirm copyright owners, contact them, secure the license, and load it up for you to download in PDF format through the account panel.
Where is my license?  How do I receive it?
Once secured, your license will be available for PDF viewing/download by logging into your account, clicking “My Orders”, and viewing the order detail.  Most licenses are available 10-15 business days after the order goes through the system.  If you license isn’t available after that time, contact support@rightsflow.com.
Your website asks how many downloads I am going to sell, and how many physical discs to clear. What should I do?
You can always use prior sales history as a gauge.  The minimum amount is 25 units for digital and physical, though many artists choose 100-200 units to start.  To note, you can always renew your license if needed.
I have a license for my physical release. Do I need another for a digital release?
Yes, the licenses for digital download, physical releases, and ringtones are all separate and require their own license and royalty payments.
I have a license for my digital release. Do I need another for a physical release?
Yes, the licenses for digital download, physical releases, and ringtones are all separate and require their own license and royalty payments.
What if I am giving away downloads, physical CDs, etc?
You will need a mechanical license and will still be required to pay mechanical royalties.
What happens if I am about to exceed the number of digital downloads I estimated?
You can simply come back to Limelight and renew your license for additional units.
How much does it cost to renew my license?
Renewals start at 50% off the original license fee plus additional royalties. For a full pricing breakdown on renewals, click here.
What is interactive streaming?
Interactive streaming is simply "on-demand" streaming, allowing a user to listen to a recording at their request via digital transmission.  An example of interactive streaming would be including a music player on your website that allows a user to scroll through tracks and start/stop at their request, without having to download an audio file (i.e. MySpace, Rhapsody, Spotify).
What are the royalties for interactive streaming?
Royalties are calculated at a rate of $0.01 per stream (or a penny per stream).
How do I track/pay royalties for interactive streaming?
You are responsible for tracking the number of streams and paying the royalties of $0.01 per stream (or a penny per stream).  Limelight clears the interactive streaming license and allows you to pay the appropriate copyright owner.  
What information should I include in my liner notes?
You should always indicate as much information as you have (songwriter and publisher).  In instances where you only have the songwriter, you should indicate their name and credit them accordingly..
I'm not sure if a song is in the public domain and requires a license -- how can Limelight help?
If you're unsure as to whether a composition is in the public domain (or has a copyrighted arrangement), you can submit and we will address directly with the U.S. Copyright Office.  This ensures you are covered and can proceed in releasing physical/digital product.
What is "fair use"?
"Fair Use" is the unlicensed use of copyrighted material and is strictly limited (i.e. parody of a specific work, news reports, judicial proceedings, etc.).  Per the U.S. Copyright Office, "The safest course is always to get permission from the copyright owner before using copyrighted material. The Copyright Office cannot give this permission.  When it is impracticable to obtain permission, use of copyrighted material should be avoided unless the doctrine of fair use would clearly apply to the situation. The Copyright Office can neither determine if a certain use may be considered fair nor advise on possible copyright violations. If there is any doubt, it is advisable to consult an attorney." For more information regarding "fair use", please consult the U.S. Copyright Office's website or www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html..
I'm not selling my recording - does this constitute "fair use"?
Most likely no -- there are only a few instances where unlicensed uses of copyrighted works can be considered "fair use".  Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act outlines several instances where "fair use" applies (www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html).
I have a reduced rate mechanical license for physical CDs direct from the music publisher - does this apply to digital as well?
No, reduced mechanical rates on physical CDs do not typically apply to digital download sales.
What If I want to change lyrics / make a mash-up / use a sample?
These would all likely constitute a "derivative work" and require direct permission from the copyright owner. There are exceptions to this (such as parody or any "fair use" provisions). We advise consulting a lawyer if you are unsure about whether the lyric change constitutes fair use.
What is a UPC code and do I need one?
The UPC (Universal product Code, aka a bar code) is a number string attached to most physical goods and is issued by the Uniform Code Council. A UPC is not required in order to secure a mechanical license via Limelight.
Can I add a UPC after I place an order?
While UPC cannot be added or edited after the order takes place, it does NOT impact licensing. UPC is sometimes used by labels when they’re trying to track the same song across several releases (as each release would need its own license.
Does Limelight handle image licensing of album artwork?
Not presently, however Getty Images (www.getty.com) and iStockPhoto (www.istockphoto.com) offer a wide selection of images available for licensing.
Will Limelight allow me to make a cover version of a song recorded by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Journey or other famous artists?
Yes - as long as a song has been made publicly available/recorded by another artist before your release, Limelight is able to clear the publishing/mechanical rights allowing you to record a cover version for digital, physical, or ringtone release.
Can I release a recording of my own vocals/samples/etc. over a karaoke instrumental?
Short answer: not without permission from the karaoke label. Unless you contact the master recording owner (label who put out the karaoke recording) for their express permission to do so, you would not be able to release your vocals over a karaoke instrumental. Any time you utilize someone else's recording to create your own work, you need a MASTER USE license. In addition, you would need to clear the publishing/composition rights and secure a MECHANICAL license. Limelight is able to handle mechanical licenses.
Does Limelight license for sheet music?
No, sheet music uses must be licensed directly from the publisher.
Does Limelight handle foreign language covers?
Yes, if you're doing a cover of a foreign language song, you can use Limelight to clear the mechanical rights. If you're doing a translation of a foreign language song, you will need a license direct from the publisher.
What are the mechanical royalty rates in the US?
For physical pressings and digital downloads:
  • Recordings under 5 minutes in length: $0.091 per unit (9.1 cents).
  • Recordings 5 minutes in length or longer: $0.0175 per minute or fraction thereof per unit.
For ringtones:
  • $0.24. per ringtone, regardless of song length.
What are examples of uses that require a mechanical license?
The most common mechanical uses are in CDs, digital downloads, or ringtones, however mechanical also includes:
  • Vinyl Records
  • Cassette Tapes
  • Pre-loading (loading before commercial distribution) onto digital devices such as MP3 players or USB drives
  • Other various formats such as SACD, audio DVD, Minidisc, etc.
  • Any use where there is a reproduction made of a sound recording embodying a musical composition – whether physical or digital.
What if Limelight can’t locate the publisher?
In order to license on your behalf, Limelight prefers that you submit songwriters and publishers for each track. If you do not know the songwriters or publishers for some or all of the recordings you need licensed, you can click "Don't Know" and our licensing team will research the information and provide back on the 2nd page of your downloadable license. You can also use the following resources to research this information:
  • ASCAP - www.ascap.com
  • BMI - www.bmi.com
  • SESAC - www.sesac.com
  • All Music Guide - www.allmusic.com
Limelight also recommends checking against other resources such as non-US rights societies, www.copyright.gov, MySpace, and a general Google search.
My distributor requires me to enter in publisher / songwriter information. Does Limelight provide this for me?
Yes, songwriter and publisher information is provided to you as part of the Limelight service. The information is included in each PDF license (available for download by logging into your account, clicking ”My Account”, then ”My Orders”, and View Detail.  Each track and configuration contains a unique PDF license.
What does Limelight NOT handle?

Limelight does not offer licenses for the following uses

  • Synchronization (use with a visual, including Film, TV, User Generated Content, and other)
  • YouTube (this requires a synchronization license secured directly from the publisher)
  • Background music (i.e. music played in a restaurant or retail store)
  • Karaoke
  • Sheet music
  • Lyric reproduction
  • Public performance (such as radio airplay – these licenses you can get verify easily with ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC).
  • Samples.
Additionally, this website does not provide for licensing of master recordings of any type. If you are interested in pursuing a license for any one of these particular uses, please contact info@rightsflow.com.
Does a mechanical license cover the use of a song in a video (movies, YouTube)?
No, synch licenses are required for you to use a song in movies / YouTube. If you’re doing a cover song and want to release it on YouTube alongside a video, you’ll need to contact the publisher(s) directly for a synchronization license..
Does Limelight license for film or TV?
Not via this website. If you wish to contract RightsFlow to license a Song and/or a Master Recording you don’t own for a synchronization use, please contact info@rightsflow.com with information about your project and needs.
What is synchronization?
Synchronization – often called “sync” – refers to the combining of music and visuals. The typical example of this is the use of a song in a film, TV show, or commercial. However, it can extend far beyond these venues into the realms of user generated content (i.e. YouTube), corporate videos or presentations, and any other combination of music and visuals.
Do you license for radio (including web radio) use?
No. Radio stations should visit ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC (as well as SoundExchange for web radio uses) in order to license the necessary performance rights.
What about international licensing? Does Limelight cover territories outside the United States?
No, while Limelight is available for users from all over the world – the licenses covers the US market only. However, most online music services typically handle this right outside the United States. You should always check your user agreement (or ask your digital distributor) before distribution to make sure you are covered. For physical distributions, an artist or label is required to contact the territory’s copyright or mechanical rights society for a license, such as GEMA in Germany or PRS for Music in the UK
Can I use Limelight to license my own song?
No. Limelight is for artists and labels looking to clear a song owned, written or controlled by another party.
Do I need a license for songs in the Public Domain?
No. However, make sure you are not using a copyrighted arrangement of public domain work, which may still need a license.
I need a mechanical license to cover a piece of classical music/composition/symphony that is not in the public domain.  How do I go about doing this?
You can use Limelight to clear the mechanical license and pay the appropriate royalties for classical music not currently in the public domain.  If the entire work was composed by a single composer and is being offered out as a single track, you would need a single license.  If the recording is broken up by the individual movements, each movement will require its own license. 
How do I license "versions" of a composition (such as a piano accompaniment, organ accompaniment, soprano/alto/tenor/bass)?
Very simple -- since "versions" won't have different publishers, listing the arranger, songwriter, and publisher information along with the basic release information will suffice for purposes of Limelight. 
What information do you need from me to secure a license?

The nomenclature can sometimes be confusing. Below is a brief description of what each piece of information means:

Song Title – The title of the song or musical composition you want to license.

Examples: Yesterday; Symphony No. 5 in C minor; Theme to Star Trek

Songwriter – This refers to any of the following: songwriter, composer, lyricist, author. We require information entered FIRST NAME, LAST NAME

Examples: John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Igor Stravinski.

Publisher – This refers to the company or entity who owns (or administers) the copyright. This is frequently a different entity from the songwriter or the recording artist. Many times, a publishing company will hire songwriters (or buy existing songwriter catalogs) and become the default licensing entity for songs by that songwriter. Moreover, songwriter’s catalogs are often split up among multiple publishers. For example, much of the Lennon/McCartney catalog is controlled partially by EMI Music Publishing and partially by SonyATV music publishing. In order to get the proper license for your recording, we need to know ALL of the publishers that have a stake in the composition. Websites such as ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are good resources for researching this information.

Examples: EMI Music Publishing; Warner Music Publishing, Wixen Music Publishing, Integrated Copyright Group.

Artist – This refers to the artist who has performed the song you wish to license. In the context of this website, you should think of this in two different ways:

Original Recording Artist – This refers to the original artist who recorded the song – or, a well known one. For example, if you wanted to license the song “With A Little Help From My Friends” you could tell us the artist was “The Beatles” OR “Joe Cocker.”

Why do we ask for this? We want to make sure that the song we are licensing is in fact the song that you want. There are many songs that have the same name, so it can be difficult to know which song you want without a frame of reference.

Performing Artist – This refers to the name of the artist who made the cover version you are trying to license through this website. For example, if your band’s name is “The Drinks” and that band has recorded a version of the song “With A Little Help From My Friends” you should put “The Drinks” under this field.

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