What is Copyright?

A simple definition of Copyright is the "right to copy, publish or perform". It is a way of expressing the legal exclusive right of ownership. Westar Music is the registered copyright owner of its music products. We provide a number of music licensing options.

What is Synchronization?

Synchronization is the term that describes the way in which Westar music tracks can be utilized in productions that you create. A sound can be synchronized with a visual presentation (the sound of a dramatic film score timed to be heard as movie credits roll), or with other audio material such as a voice over - as in the case of a radio commercial. A music track can be synchronized for use in many media: television, radio, film, multimedia and audio-visual presentations, Web sites, computer games and music. A Westar Music lease includes the synchronization rights required to allow you to use the music in your productions.

The rights to re-sell, re-publish or otherwise distribute Westar Music are not obtained with your acquisition of synchronization rights to our products. When you use our music tracks, they must be synchronized within a multimedia presentation, film, Web site, game, audio-visual production or broadcast.

What are Synchronization Rights?

With a synchronization license, you gain permission to reproduce the sound recording of a musical composition within an audio-visual media form (like films, TV programs, commercial announcements, music videos, multimedia or other visual presentations). The music is generally synchronized and/or recorded in timed relation with the visual images, graphic design or voiceover.

Westar Music is licensed with specific synchronization rights included, as outlined in our Rate Card. If you have used our music under an annual lease arrangement and require that an individual license be issued for a specific use of our music (like a TV program, film or video production), please make an application for that specific synchronization rights license, and a separate music license for your production will be issued for your music clearance records.

What are Performing Rights?

The composer and publisher of a piece of music generally reserve the right to receive compensation any time their music is performed in public, hence the term performing rights. Around the world, performance rights societies (like ASCAP and BMI in the United States or SOCAN in Canada), collect public performance revenue from radio and TV stations and networks, movie theatres and other sources. This public performance revenue is divided among the composers and publishers based on "reported use", which is usually submitted via a Cue Sheet. For more information on this topic, please see our Cue Sheet & Performing Rights page. Blank Cue Sheets (in PDF and MS Word formats) are available for your convenience. Once you have prepared your Cue Sheets, fax them to us at (905) 886-6800 or email electronic versions to us at info@westarmusic.com.

What does Public Domain mean?

From the time a piece of music is created, it is protected by Copyright. The international laws governing copyright are the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention. Under the Berne Convention, copyright extends for the life of the composer plus a minimum of 50 years following his or her death.

Most of the world's industrial countries have signed the Berne Convention and comply with it - although all countries have their own copyright laws which may extend the copyright period for an additional number of years. Many countries have extended this copyright term to a period of 70 years following the death of the composer. Once a piece of music has existed beyond the copyright protection of a country, that piece of music is considered to be in the Public Domain in that country. If you are intending to use a piece of music that is in the Public Domain, make sure that you check the Copyright Laws in all countries where the production will be used to make sure that your use conforms to the laws of those countries. However, remember that just because a piece of music is in the public domain, you do not have the right to use a recording of the piece without a license. The copyright for the recording is still owned by its publisher.

What is a Production Music Library?

A Production Music Library is a collection of music that has been written especially for use in audio and audio visual productions. For more information, please see the What is a Production Music Library? page on this Web site.

What is Stock Music?

Stock Music is a less expensive alternative to the use of popular or well known music in a production, since it is not necessary to obtain specific permission or pay additional clearance fees for the use of a song that has instant recognition. For more information, please see the What is Stock Music? page on this Web site.

What are Needle Drop Music Licenses?

Needle Drop music licensing (also known as Laser Drop Licensing) is one of the licensing options offered by the Westar Music Library. For more information, please see the What are Needle Drop Music Licenses? page on this Web site.

What are Laser Drop Music Licenses?

Laser Drop music licensing (also known as Needle Drop Licensing) is one of the licensing options offered by the Westar Music Library. For more information, please see the What are Laser Drop Music Licenses? page on this Web site.

What is an Adobe PDF file?

A PDF file (PDF stands for "portable document format") is one created by Adobe's Acrobat™ software. It displays text in a reader-friendly format - as if it had been created by a word processor or desktop publisher. The reason that it's so portable though is that it can be downloaded readily for screen display or printing by your Web browser and read by any computer that has the free Adobe Acrobat Reader™ software installed - it doesn't matter if your computer is a PC or a Mac.

How do I get Acrobat Reader software installed on my computer?

Adobe Acrobat Reader™ software is free - download it from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

How do I get Windows Media Player software installed on my computer?

Windows Media Player software is free - download it from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download.

How do I get the Flash Player software installed on my computer?

Flash Player software is free - download it from http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash.

Do I have to pay you more if I include your music in a production that will be broadcast on radio or TV?

No. If your broadcast production makes use of our music, you must file a Cue Sheet with your local Performing Rights society. For more information on this topic, please see our Cue Sheets & Performing Rights page. Blank Cue Sheets (in PDF and MS Word formats) are available for your convenience. Once you have prepared your Cue Sheets, fax them to us at (905) 886-6800 or email us electronic copies at info@westarmusic.com. A Sample Completed Cue Sheet is available to help you fill out this form.

When I license your music for use in a TV or radio program or a feature film, do I need to obtain a performance license from SOCAN, ASCAP, BMI or SESAC?

A performance license is obtained by the venue that actually performs the music in public. U.S. copyright law defines a public performance as a performance that occurs at a place open to the public or any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a family and its social acquaintances are gathered. Public venues include broadcasters (TV stations, radio stations, cable networks, pay per view), theaters, stadiums & arenas, restaurants, bars, malls, hotels, in flight and cruise ship presentations and on-hold telephone systems.

If I already have a performance license, is a Laser Drop or Annual license still required to use your music?

Yes. Performance licenses grant you the right to perform the music in public, but the right to synchronize our music with other audio or visual elements in your production must be granted by Westar Music (the music publisher) through the use of either a Laser Drop or Annual license.

If I edit my original production to add additional music or create a version of the production in another language, do I need to obtain a separate Laser Drop license?

Yes. Any revision to the audio or video portion of your original production, or a release of it in a new format requires an additional license. Alternate language versions of any production also require an additional license. Please consult your Music Consultant for pricing details.

When I report music use according to the terms of my Laser Drop agreement, how is the license issued?

Westar Music will create an invoice based on your Laser Drop License Application and send it to you. The invoice can be sent to you by fax or mail, depending on your requirements. Once you have paid the invoice (for your convenience, we accept all major credit cards), Westar will issue your synchronization license. If necessary, a copy can be sent to you by fax; the original will be mailed to you.

Can I make changes to the composition of a piece of music used from your library without incurring a penalty?

If you with to make any changes to a Westar composition - like adding instruments, vocals or lyrics - you must obtain written permission from Westar Music first. Remember that the copyright for the underlying work always remains with Westar Music.

How long do I have until I must report music use and apply for a synchronization license for a production?

Application for licensing of Westar Music must be made within 48 hours of the completion of the production. Delay in requesting music clearance could result in a higher license fee being charged. Accurate information for each music use must be listed on the License Application.

I am on a Laser Drop agreement. What should I do if I need to use one piece of music for multiple broadcast productions or a commercial tag?

Please contact your Westar Music Consultant - they will help you determine the most cost effective way to license our music for your application.

I am having trouble using the MusicSource search software - can you help me?

Yes. Our MusicSource Tutorial is available to provide step-by-step instructions to all of MusicSource's features online at any time. If your question has not been addressed by the tutorial, please contact your Westar Music Consultant or send an email to info@westarmusic.com.

How do I find the right music track for my production?

We suggest that you give the MusicSource search engine a try. Not only does it allow you to browse each CD's contents and audition every track on the disc (hint: use the Explore Menu for this browsing function), but it also employs a very powerful search function that you can use to search by music genre, styles, instrument, tempo, composer or keyword (or any combination thereof). Detailed instructions on how to use MusicSource are provided in the MusicSource Tutorial, and we are available during regular business hours (9:00 am - 5:30 pm EST, Monday to Friday) to answer your questions.

If you require additional assistance, please give one of our Music Consultants a call. They will be pleased to search our library for you and they can email an online project that will let you hear each of the compositions that they think may suit your needs.

Do I have rights in perpetuity?

Yes. All synchronization licenses are granted in perpetuity as long as there are no changes in either the audio or visual portions of the production. Any change in either the audio or video portion of the production requires a new license and alternate language versions of any production also require an additional license.

If I use a public domain recording from your library, must I still pay for it?

Yes. Remember that you must obtain a synchronization license from us in order to make use of our recording in your production, regardless of the composer's public domain status.

If I have an Annual license, do I still need to report my music use?

If you have created a production that will be performed in public (on TV, radio, or in a theater or other public venue), you must submit a complete and detailed Cue Sheet for the production to your local performing rights society. Your Cue Sheets must detail all music cues used in the production (regardless of whether or not they are from the Westar Music Library), and they must be submitted in a timely manner.

For more information on this topic, please see our Cue Sheets & Performing Rights page. Blank Cue Sheets (in PDF and MS Word formats) are available for your convenience. A Sample Completed Cue Sheet is available to help you fill out this form.

How do I report my music use?

Your Laser Drop music use can be reported by either faxing a completed copy of our Laser Drop License Application or by reporting your music use online.

If I am on a Laser Drop agreement, can I convert it to an Annual agreement or vice-versa?

Yes. Contact your Westar Music Consultant.

I can't find the music files that I downloaded using MusicSource - where are they on my computer?

After you have finished installing the MusicSource download software, a dialog box will appear to allow you to select the target folder where downloaded songs will be placed. If you have not selected a different folder, your files will be stored in this default folder:

C:\Program Files\MusicCart\save

We suggest that once you have established a directory on your hard drive where MusicSource downloads will be stored (and you can leave it as the default directory), you might find it handy to create a shortcut on your computer desktop so that you can access that directory and your downloaded music files quickly and easily in the future.

Why can't I use popular music CDs or downloads for my production?

In order to use a popular piece of music from the latest charts (or even a golden oldie) in any production, you need to obtain permission from the copyright holder in the form of a synchronization license.

While obtaining a synchronization license for a popular piece of music is quite an expensive proposition, keep in mind that using the music without the proper license in place will leave you open to liability for copyright infringement and other actionable claims under international copyright laws. That will cost you several times more than the original license fees would have cost.

Stock Music is a less expensive alternative to the use of popular or well known music in a production, since it is not necessary to obtain specific permission or pay additional clearance fees for the use of a song that has instant recognition. For more information, please see the What is Stock Music? page on this Web site.

Do you have a list of clients who have used Westar Music in their productions?

Yes. Our Credits & Clients page provides a representative sample of the different productions and applications that have used Westar Music.

Do you have classical music that is available to license?

Yes. The Westar Classical Music collection offers 12 CDs and more than 170 fully orchestrated classical music themes from many of the world's most well known classical composers. Contact Us to learn more about how you can add the Westar Classical Music collection to your lease.

Does Westar Music have a Security and Privacy Policy? Are there any copyright or legal notices that I should read before using this Web site?

Yes. We do indeed have a published policy to protect your security and privacy as one of our Web site visitors. It and our copyright and Legal Notices are available on this Web site - we suggest that you review them before using this site.

How can I contact Westar Music with a question or my feedback?

Feel free to Contact Us with your suggestions, comments or feedback by phone, mail or email.

Can I get a listing of the music clips featured in the Westar Music Audio Demos?

Yes - check out the Audio Demo Contents page on this site.

What are the system requirements necessary to use your Music Search & Audition feature?

Click on Music Search & Audition from our main navigation bar and you will find an introduction page to the MusicSource search engine. It includes a full set of System Requirements.

Are there instructions for MusicSource on your Web site?

Yes. Feel free to explore the MusicSource Tutorial - it will show you how to use MusicSource's powerful search features.

I use a Macintosh computer. Can you recommend a digital audio management system that will embed track and index metadata into my ripped audio files and allow me to edit them for use in my productions?

Yes. Westar Music distributes Soundminer - a complete digital audio management system designed only for the Macintosh environment. Check out the details at the Soundminer page on this Web site.

Does Westar Music commission music from composers?

Yes we do. If you are a composer, we welcome demo submissions. We ask that you provide your demo in CD Audio format (not wav or MP3) or on DAT tape. Demos should be sent to the attention of: