Download: Film Synchronization Contract

THIS AGREEMENT is for the services of music and/or entertainment described below between the undersigned COMPOSER and the undersigned EMPLOYER.  The COMPOSER has written and composed certain musical compositions, lyrics and arrangements, including arrangements of public domain material, as the independent contractor of:

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in connection with the Motion Picture now entitled:

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COMPOSER hereby licenses to EMPLOYER and its assigns, on a non-exclusive basis, the following rights: the complete, exclusive and perpetual right throughout the world to exhibit, record, reproduce, broadcast, televise, transmit, publish, copy, print, reprint, sell, distribute, perform and use for any purpose, in connection with the Motion Picture as defined, whether or not now known, and whether separately or in synchronism with the Picture or trailers, clips or portions. EMPLOYER or its assigns may add lyrics from all or any part thereof. EMPLOYER or its assigns may add lyrics in any language, and otherwise add to, subtract from, arrange, rearrange, revise and adapt all such material and the Picture in any manner, and COMPOSER hereby waives the moral rights of authors, as said term is commonly understood throughout the world. Said license of rights is conditioned upon and subject to the following:

Motion Pictures containing the Music may be exhibited by any licensed or authorized exhibitor. No such license shall be required in any of the situations referred to above.

Under no circumstances shall the COMPOSER, or anyone acting on his or her behalf, have the right to any proceedings that would interfere with the public exhibition and performance anywhere in the world, nor shall EMPLOYER or any distributor of such motions picture be liable to COMPOSER for any action that the association may take in administering the remaining performing rights, or for any payments that the licensing organization (A.S.C.A.P., B.M.I. etc.) may make to the COMPOSER.

Neither EMPLOYER or any distributor of any Motion Picture shall be liable to the COMPOSER, his successors, or to the licensing body or its affiliates, for any payment for the performances of the Music as contained in the Motion Pictures, with the exception of payment of the statutory mechanical rate at the time of execution of this AGREEMENT (paid by EMPLOYER to COMPOSER or his music publisher for the sale to the public of the Music on sound tracks released as phonorecords, video tapes, compact discs, cassette tapes or any and all methods now known or that may come into being).

COMPOSER and his heirs, executors, administrators or other personal representatives, agents, successors or assigns shall have no independent right to license performances of the Music included in Motion Pictures or to otherwise interfere in any way with the distribution and exhibition of Motion Pictures containing the Music.

For the purpose of protecting Motion Pictures in which any music is used or to be used, EMPLOYER or its assigns shall always have the right to impose restrictions upon the performance of such Music apart from Motion Pictures.

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Motion Picture” or its equivalent includes, but is not limited to, Motion Pictures, cinemagraphic films and photoplays of every kind (including films for television, video tapes, and films produced electronically), including the soundtrack, trailer, clips, and copies of the foregoing, produced by any means by which photographs, pictures, images or other visual or audiovisual reproductions or representations may be printed, imprinted, recorded or otherwise preserved on material of any description (whether translucent or not) for later projection or exhibition (whether or not accompanied by sound track).

“Sound Track” includes sound recordings and reproduction produced by means of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or other uses in which sound may be recorded for later transmission or playback in synchronization or timed relation with Motion Pictures or separately on phonograph records.

“Copies”, with reference to a Motion Picture or sound track, includes any negative or positive print, duplicate, negative, video or other electronic tape recording, disc or other physical article of any kind produced in which such Motion Picture or sound track is printed, imprinted, recorded, reproduced or duplicated.

“Exhibitor” means any person, firm, or corporation who holds a valid and subsisting license from the copyright proprietor of the Motion Picture involved (either directly or indirectly through distributor, sub-distributor or other licensee of such copyright proprietor) to exhibit and perform such Motion Picture (including the Music) publicly, whether theatrically, on free pay or subscription cable television, cable, satellite, airlines, armed services or any other means.

GOVERNING LAW: This AGREEMENT shall be governed by the laws and in the courts of the State of _____________ and by the laws of the United States, excluding their conflicts of law principles. Any dispute or legal proceeding regarding the AGREEMENT shall take place in the county of _____________, in the State of _________________.

DATED: _______________________

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED

For EMPLOYER

 

 

  For COMPOSER

 

Signature

 

  Signature
     
Name   Name

 

     
Address   Address

 

     
City/State/Zip   City/State/Zip

 

     
Telephone   Telephone