What is a synchronization (“sync”) license, and how do sync disputes get resolved?

A synchronization license is the permission needed to pair a piece of music with visual media — a film scene, a television show, an advertisement, or a video game. Because sync licenses are individually negotiated rather than set by a compulsory rate, disputes commonly involve scope (was the music licensed for the trailer as well as the film?), territory, term, renewal, and fees for uses beyond the original grant. Sync uses typically require separate clearances from the master owner and the publisher. On the master side, there are fewer disputes because ownership generally resides with only one entity. To clear the publishing rights, there can widely different license fees quoted and even disagreements about the shares that co-publishers may control. Deals with multiple rights holders also frequently include most favored nations clauses, requiring each side to get equal terms. Which party sets the fee structure is a common dispute as opposed to simply honoring the MFN concept. These are contract disputes at their core, which makes them well suited to mediation: the parties can clarify what was actually licensed and negotiate a fee for any additional use, often preserving a relationship that both sides want to continue.