Master Use License Agreement

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Updated Jun 12, 2025
~ 8 pages
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A Master Use License Agreement is a legal contract between a copyright owner and a licensee granting permission to use a specific recording or work. It is used in music, film, and media to secure usage rights and define royalty terms.
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Written by Megan Thompson, LLB - Reviewed by Kate Adkham, LLB

Template Description

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Paper titled "Master Use License Agreement"; woman and man shaking hands near cameras

What Is a Master Use License Agreement?

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A master use license agreement is a legal document that gives someone the right to use a specific sound recording for a certain purpose. The “master” refers to the original recording of the music or audio. This agreement does not give ownership — it only gives permission to use the piece under certain conditions.

What Is a Master Use License Agreement Used For?

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A master recording ownership agreement is helpful when someone wants to include a specific audio recording in their new project. 

Common situations

  • A movie uses a popular song during a dramatic scene;
  • A TV commercial includes background music by a famous artist;
  • A video game features audio clips from a recorded album;
  • A social media ad uses parts of a podcast or spoken-word recording;
  • A documentary includes a licensed music track during its credits. 

In all these cases, the person who uses the recording must get official permission from the person or company who owns it.

How to Write a Master Use License Agreement

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You can easily create the document with the help of a master recording license agreement template. Add the following information:

  1. Names of the licensor and the licensee and their contact information.

  2. The title of the recording, who performed it, and other details like the original album or studio version you're recording.

  3. Explanation of where and how the licensee can use the recording.

  4. The timeframe within which the licensee can use the recording (for example, 3 years) and where (worldwide or only in certain countries).

  5. The sum the licensee will pay the licensor. This could be a one-time fee or payment based on usage. If the license is free, write that as well.

  6. The name of the state where laws will apply in case of a disagreement or problems. This is usually the state where one of the parties lives or does business.

  7. Signatures of both parties and the date to make the document official.

If the recording is valuable or the project is commercial, speak to a lawyer before you agree to anything. 

State Law

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Copyrighted music is protected by the Copyright Act of 1976 and the federal statutes found in Title 17 of the United States Code. State laws dealing with copyrighted works defer to and incorporate federal copyright laws. 

The owner of musical work under the Copyright Act has the exclusive rights to do and authorize any of the following intellectual property (IP) rights: 

  • to reproduce copies of the work (phonorecords); 
  • to create derivative works based on existing composition; 
  • to display the work to the public (e.g. posting lyrics on a website by sale or other transfer of ownership or performing the work publicly); and
  • to distribute copies of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership. 

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