Compensation for commissioned music

If you are a music creator

• You register the work of music with Stim as usual.
• You receive compensation from Stim as usual when the work of music is performed publicly.
• You can negotiate the synchronization fee while you negotiate your commission fee . (Exception: Commissioned music for feature films. Free negotiation only applies in special situations, for example low-budget feature films.)

If you represent a music publisher

• You register the work of music with Stim as usual.
• The music publisher and the creator receive compensation from Stim as usual when the work of music is performed publicly.
• The music publisher may, on behalf of the creator and with power of attorney, negotiate both the synchronization fee (the NCB fee) and the commission fee. (Exception: Commissioned music for feature films. Free negotiation only applies in special situations, for example low-budget feature films.)

The agreement with the commissioner – your client

The agreement for commissioned music (e.g. background music, jingles, program signatures, audio logos) that you make with film companies or production companies essentially consists of two parts:

• Your fee for the work performed, which you receive from the music commissioner according to your agreement.
• Your synchronization fee, which you also receive directly from the commissioner according to your agreement.

In both cases above, free negotiation applies between you and the commissioner.

If you want help invoicing your client for the synchronization fee, there is an option where Stim/NCB does it for you. For this there is a special registration form, completed jointly by commissioner and composer. The form must be signed and copied in multiple copies. One copy is sent to Stim/NCB — and both composer and commissioner keep one copy each.

If you collaborate with a music publisher, the publisher usually handles the agreement on synchronization fees.

Pre-existing music

You can read more about what applies when licensing "pre-existing music" – meaning music that not is specifically commissioned for the production – on NCB's website.