Guidelines for licensing pre-existing music
Sometimes planning a performing arts production means that the producer/director wants to use already existing music in the production, i.e. music that is part of STIM's repertoire.
Even though the music is included in STIM's repertoire, it is not automatically the case that the new production can be licensed through STIM. The decisive factor is whether the music will be used as a central element in the production or not. The following Nordic guidelines determine whether STIM or the rights holder (publisher and/or creator) grants the license:
If the company is contacted by a customer regarding pre-existing music and the music is to be used as a prominent element in a theatrical or choreographic production (such as playback of musical pieces, music for dance, live music, etc.), the company shall assist the customer in contacting the rights holder(s) if one or more of the following conditions apply:
- The production is associated with a brand/'identifying feature' such as an artist/group, composer or composition.
- The song lyrics advance the plot.
- The music exceeds 30 minutes or 30% of the production or contains eight or more musical pieces, and
a)the production has a plot
b)the music is performed by characters, or
c)the music is associated with characters - The production is a dance performance or contains more than 15 minutes of dance to music.
After the rights holder has been contacted by the company/customer, the rights holder shall unilaterally decide whether the work will be licensed by the rights holder themselves, or whether licensing can be handled via the company.
Otherwise, licensing can always be carried out directly by the company without the rights holder needing to be contacted.
