Film Licensing Key Terms

Educate yourself on some of the hot-button topics related to film licensing

By Christine Foley

Film licensing can be tricky to accomplish and even trickier to understand when it comes to the language and jargon people in the industry use. However, by understanding film licensing terminology, individuals interested in the trade can learn more about the process and the occupational field at large. There's a number of aspects to be aware of when it comes to film licensing, and the topics may adhere to any number of the nuances that present themselves in the industry.

Distribution

Distribution refers to the selling, licensing or renting of a film to various markets. These markets for films may include, but are in no way limited to, theatrical releases, home video, cable station broadcasts and other comparable television markets, both domestic and overseas. Distributors, in charge of the distribution of film materials, may specialize in individual markets, but some will cover the distribution of materials to all possible markets.
Try: Microsoft.com explores film industry opportunities with respect to digital media distribution.

Presale

Generally, people use the word presale when referring to licenses that will take place overseas. Presale licenses will license all or some of the rights to a film or film project prior to its completion. Rather, presale licensing occurs before a company produces the film or while it's in the process of production.
Try: Movie Distribution Facts discusses how organizations can potentially finance their films, including through presale film options.

Blanket license

Companies use blanket licenses in order to allow the use of public performances of all of the music and songs that are in the catalog of the society. There are more than eight million songs in the repertory of the ASCAP, and licensees who pay an annual fee for their blanket license may use the songs and music as much or as little as they like. Some of the benefits of the blanket license include the fact that users save time on a great deal of paperwork, and there is no need to negotiate licenses with all of the individual copyright holders.
Try: MusicThinkTank.com discusses the debate raging around blanket licenses and their legitimacy.

Music supervisor

The music supervisor of a film manages the licenses of any and all songs and music used in the film's productions. Additionally, this individual or entity is responsible for handling music clearance as well as the rights licensing existing music.
Try: GoodNightKiss.com offers a brief glimpse into the life of a music supervisor, including the realities of the job and what is required of such an individual.

Performing-rights license

A performing-rights license authorizes the use of a song for public performances. In most cases, an organization grants this type of license under a section of its blanket license.
Try: MediaPositiveRadio.com discusses performing-rights licenses and when they are necessary.

Retransmission

When a company sends a piece, such as a film or show on television, from one device to another, this is transmission. If the company then sends the material on to yet another location, this transition is a retransmission.
Try: ScreenRights.org explores film retransmission royalties.