What is a synch license agreement, and what are its legal requirements?

A synch license agreement is a legal contract that grants permission for a copyrighted work (a song, for example) to be used in an audiovisual project such as a film or television show. In California, a person or company wishing to use a copyrighted work must obtain a license from the copyright holder, which is usually the composer or publisher of the work. The legal requirements of a synch license agreement depend on the circumstances of the license and the nature of the copyrighted work. A license typically includes both a fee (for the right to use the work) and a description of the manner and context in which the work may be used. In California, the general requirements for a synch license agreement are that the copyright holder must have the power to license the work, any fees must be fair, and the agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. Other requirements may also be specified in the agreement, such as the placement of credits in films or other media, or the length of time that the work may be used. The California Code of Regulations also requires that parties to a synch license must guarantee that the work does not infringe upon any third-party copyrights. Additionally, the licensor must be given the right to inspect any finished product to ensure that the work was not altered in any way that might constitute infringement.

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