What do I need to do to submit my music to the SLM?
You need to download our
Artist License Agreement. We will not consider any submissions for our library if they are not accompanied by a completed, signed agreement and IRS W-9 Form. Please send 2 CDs with all submissions. Also, include a copy of lyrics to all your songs.
What rights do I give SLM when I sign the agreement?
You give SLM the right to license your songs on a non-exclusive basis to any of our production or media clients worldwide at a license fee determined by SLM based on competitive factors and the type of usage. You agree to keep your music in the library for a minimum period of one year. You retain all ownership of publishing, copyrights and masters. SLM only has the right to broker your music to interested parties for production, information or entertainment services use (no sound-alone recordings), its up to you to administer the uses SLM generates on your behalf with your corresponding performance rights society.
What type of music does SLM place?
Music that is good from any conceivable genre. We license anything that may appeal to a filmmaker, television producer, music supervisor, creative advertising director. We are looking for something fresh, creative and sonically appealing. Some customers will want to use several minutes of a song, while others may just want five seconds of a harmonica piece.
What quality recordings must I submit?
All music must be submitted on a broadcast quality, 16bit, 44.1khz CD. Copies should be of the highest technological quality possible: you need not have spent a fortune to make them, but we do not want recordings with buzz, hiss, recorded in a kitchen sound, or other flaws (allowing for artistic effects). Please: No MP3?s.
What responsibilities do I take for the music I submit?
You are giving SLM your guarantee that the material you are submitting is your own, written and recorded by you and not sampled. Anyone who owns any part of the master recording or the publishing, or has any rights over the music at all, must sign the agreement prior to submission. You are fully responsible for the consequences as you are indemnifying SLM and our clients if your submission infringes on the rights of another person.
Can I submit songs that have co-writers?
Yes. Songs with multiple writers are eligible for library consideration if you are able to obtain the signatures of all parties who have any ownership of the music. This includes those who possess rights to the master and/or the publishing. If there are co-writers listed on the submission who have not signed the license agreement, SLM will delay the screening process in order to obtain the necessary confirmation from licensor. Songs that are not to be considered for licensing (i.e. cover songs or songs where co-writer does not give permission) are to be clearly listed as such on your submission.
How do I know when my music has been received?
We will send you confirmation via email after your submission has been screened.
What criteria must my music fulfill to be accepted into the library?
a) First and foremost, you must confirm via our Artist License Agreement, that all of the songs you submit are original to you and/or controlled solely by you. If there are co-owners, we will need their permission as well. If you wish to submit music that contains any samples you must be absolutely certain that they are royalty-free and cleared for use. The best way to indicate this is by sending along a photocopy of the copyright agreement from the sample program. You must be certain that you have the rights to all of the elements used in any recordings you submit to us. Unauthorized samples are not permitted.
b) All music must be submitted on a broadcast quality, 16bit, 44.1khz CD. We do not accept any audio that has been compressed (i.e. converted to mp3's) in any way, during any stage. Compressed audio will not be used.
c) LHM accepts music from all genres, on a rolling basis. Your music will go through a preliminary screening process to check for sonic quality. This process may take 2-3 weeks after we have received it. Our A&R department will then audition each song on your submission and select which, if any, will be accepted into our library.
What happens when my music gets used?
SLM will grant a license(s) to a customer for a specific use(s) in a (film, television, DVD, etc...). The client will pay SLM and identify your song, and SLM will then, within sixty (60) days of the following June 30 or December 31, send you a check in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of any license fees generated by your music.
What happens if my music does not get used?
Nothing. You are still owner of all your music and completely free to continue to pursue other opportunities. SLM may not include all of the music that you submit into its database, and there are no penalties or charges for songs that are not used.
If I license my music to SLM, can I still do other things with it?
Yes. You are providing your music to SLM on a non-exclusive basis, and are not restricted in any way with respect to what else you may want to do with your music. In certain cases, a customer may want to have the exclusive right to use the music for a particular application, in which case SLM would deal directly with you to get your approval and negotiate such an exclusive arrangement.
What happens if I get a record or publishing deal in the future?
You must tell the record or publishing company that certain songs that you have recorded have been provided to SLM. If for some reason the company does not want these songs offered to customers through SLM, you can write us a letter, and we will remove the songs from our library. Fees might apply.
What if I already have a record or publishing deal?
SLM needs the permission of every person or company that has control over the copyright in the sound recordings and songs that you wish to have licensed, which would presumably include your record company and music publishing company. The written consent of these parties is most necessary for SLM to place your music.
What can SLM?s customers do with my music?
Customers can synchronize your music with program material for a specific job or use. Customers will be able to edit the tracks if necessary to fit their project. Other types of production/entertainment service uses are possible and SLM continues to explore how to put your music to work profitably as new opportunities develop.
What are the possible payments I can expect?
Payments vary according to type of use - a TV show vs. commercial, the broadcast market it is used in, etc. Usage fees can range from several thousand dollars for a national advertising spot, to hundreds of dollars for a national promo spot, to tens of dollars for an incidental background use on television programming. We will always attempt to get the most money we can for every project. However, each project demands that we price competitively in order secure the license in the first place, and to ensure future business with each client.
Do I get to approve where and when my song can be used?
Yes you can. SLM can flag your account to notify you when your music is being considered for use. But please keep in mind, pre-clearance is a strong selling point for our clients who are more likely to use music that causes them less hassle and is a time saving element to them. The TV and film worlds move very fast and the faster we can supply them the better.
Will you tell me when my music was used?
Unlike other music libraries you have the option to refuse your music to be used in any project/scene/clip which you might find objectionable. SLM will flag your account that your music may not be used in certain instances which you have notified us about. If you don't really care how your music is used then its use will show up in the next pay period report.
Will I receive performance royalties (i.e. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc)?
Any use of your licensed material in broadcast, cable or certain Internet transmissions, as well as a number of foreign broadcasts and exhibitions, will entitle you to certain performance royalty payments from your respective performing rights society such as ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, if you are a member of one of these performing rights societies. Clients production offices are responsible for reporting Cue Sheets - but you will always want to follow up on this. Also, make sure your music is registered with one of the PROs, no one does that for you.
SLM does not take any permanent ownership in your material as part of this process. Any uses you generate through other means will not be administered by SLM. Audio-visual uses (radio, etc) will not be administered by SLM.
What if I'm not yet a member of a performing rights organization (PRO)?
We do strongly recommend you join a P.R.O. at some point so that you're eligible to collect performance royalties.
Is this a Publishing Agreement?
No. A publishing agreement requires that all or a part of the ownership, including copyright, of the music be transferred to the publisher. SLM does not take any part of the copyright in your music. What SLM does is represent you to the film/tv/gaming markets.
How long does the Agreement last?
The Agreement runs for one (1) year starting at the date stated in the introductory clause of the Non-Exclusive Representation Agreement and will be automatically renewed for seccessive periods of one (1) year unless you give us thirty days notice you do not wish to renew.
Okay, this all sounds too easy. Are there any hidden fees to join SLM.
No. The only bill you will receive from SLM is if you decide to remove your music from the library before the expiration of the yearly term in the amount of $100.00. This is to cover administrative fees.
I already have music with SLM. What do I have to do to submit more music?
If you wish to submit more music for library consideration, you must send it along with a new contract found on our web site www.skylimitmusic.com. Even if you have already been accepted into the library, we treat each CD as a separate, time-sensitive entity. It is also a beneficial way to update us with any new contact information such as change of address, email or phone number.
If I sign an agreement with SLM, can I work with any other music companies?
Yes. We encourage our artists to pursue other avenues with their music. The agreement with SLM is non-exclusive.
What am I getting for my money with SLM?
You will be getting quality mastered tracks of original music to snyc in your project. Virtually every track in this library is the whole track of music. This way you can use the whole song throughout your project and gain the best momentum for the project. With the ease of using SLM and obtaining the whole song or songs your final editing will be a breeze.
What is your means of transferring the music to me?
You can have the music delivered by MP3, WAV over the internet. Or we can mail/FedEx you a CD or a USB flash storage drive to use over and over again. Just let us know what form of transmission you would like.
Do I give the Artist credit?
Yes – in your agreement it states under the… Terms and Conditions; Grant of Rights that: b) Credit. Licensee shall credit the Track in all promotion, exhibition and exploitation of the Project in the following or a substantially similar form:
Title
Performed by:
Written/composed by:
Courtesy of:
What is a Cue Sheet?
Cue Sheets are the primary means by which performing rights organizations track the use of music in films and TV. Cue Sheets are submitted to the appropriate PRO for the artist. Without Cue Sheets, it would be nearly impossible for such composers and publishers to be compensated for their work. You can visit www.bmi.com or www.ascap.com for more information on submitting one.
Where do you get your music from?
From all over the world, but most of them live right here in New Mexico. Our A & R Department works their little fingers to the bone to get it all up-loaded. New music is added daily so be sure to check back often.
Will I get personalized service?
Yes. SkyLimit Music likes to get involved - so if you are having trouble finding the right song(s) send us an email and we can discuss your script and suggest alternate songs, within your budget, for use in your project. There is no extra charge for this service. Helping you achieve the best possible sound/mood and feel for your project. What you can't speak, say with music.
We will also help you determine which rights you need for your project, for no extra cost!
