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Licensing FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
General Queries
How do I know if a piece of printed music is in copyright?
In Europe copyright subsists for the life of the composer or lyricist plus 70 years thereafter. NB. Even where the composer is no longer copyright-protected there may be a protected arranger. If there is no apparent arranger there may be a separate copyright in the published edition. If in doubt, contact the publisher for clarification.
Is there a minimum size of extract/number of words that I can use without permission?
No, any amount of copyright-protected music has to be approved by the owners before the usage can go ahead, regardless of length.
I'm not sure who controls the copyright for a title I wish to get permission for?
We are the exclusive appointed European print licensor for Warner/Chappell Music and a number of catalogues controlled by Alfred Music Publishing, as well as for all titles in the Faber Music, Manners McDade and Edition Peters catalogues. If you're still unclear whether we control the title you want to use, you can contact your local Collection Society. For residents of the UK, please check with the
MCPS-PRS Music Alliance
Can Faber Music issue licences for the World?
In most cases we only control rights in and around Europe. However, we may be able to arrange World clearances with the co-operation of the rights owners in territories outside of Europe, so please check with us.
Do I need to state the composer(s)/lyricist(s) when I request permission to use your song(s)?
Yes, this is crucial in order for us to identify the correct song for your licence.
What happens after I submit my request?
Your request will be reviewed by the Licensing team to make sure we have all the necessary information before submitting it for approval by the copyright owners. Faber Music will contact you as soon as we have received the necessary clearances for your request.
How long will it take to get permission for my request?
Unfortunately there is no set timescale within which we can guarantee that we will be able to receive clearance. Certain songs/catalogues take longer to clear than others. Generally speaking, you should allow for a period of at least 4-6 weeks to obtain copyright approval.
Will I definitely be granted permission to proceed eventually?
No, some requests will be denied if for any reason the copyright owners do not want the usages to go ahead.
The details of my request have changed, what should I do?
You can log in to your request at any time, change the details and resubmit the request using the Online Licensing facility. Alternatively, contact the Faber Music Licensing Department (Tel: +44 (0) 20 7908 5330 / Email: licensing@fabermusic.com)
Are there any minimum requirements my request should meet?
A minimum print run requirement does exist for some commercial arrangement requests; please refer to the 'Musical arrangement/adaptation' section below for further details.
How do I go about licensing one of your musical shows?
If you are enquiring about a performance licence for one of our musical shows, please contact us at
musicals@fabermusic.com
Photocopies
Do I need a licence to photocopy?
Yes. Reproducing copies of any musical work that is in copyright without permission from the copyright owner is illegal.
Am I allowed to photocopy free of charge if I work for a school?
Photocopies should be reported to PMLL under their Schools Printed Music Licence - for further information please visit their website:
https://www.pmll.org.uk/
Can I make just a few photocopies for free?
No. A photocopy licence must be obtained for all music in copyright, though your fee may be waived under certain circumstances.
Can I do 1 photocopy for examiner's use?
Yes, but you must submit a Photocopy Request form. We will then e-mail you the permission. Please write on the photocopy "photocopied by kind permission of Faber Music Ltd" and destroy the copy after use. Please see the Music Publishers Association "Code of Fair Practice" for further information.
Can I make an adjudicator copy for use in competitions?
Yes, as long as it’s destroyed afterwards. Please see the Music Publishers Association “Code of Fair Practice” for further information.
Music Folio / Album / Anthology
What is a "folio"?
A folio is another word for a songbook in this context.
What is the difference between a "matching" folio and a "mixed" folio?
A "matching" folio is a publication (most commonly, a songbook containing words & music), which "matches" a CD album, i.e. it includes the same songs and uses the same artwork as the CD. A "mixed" folio is a publication made up of an original compilation of songs.
Are there a maximum number of songs I can license from Faber Music for any single folio?
Yes, our general policy is that we do not license content that makes up more than 20% of the overall publication (this applies to mixed folios only).
Does it matter if I don't know the anticipated publication date for my folio?
No, although it does help us to prioritise the many requests we receive according to urgency. Please put an estimated date on your request form.
Does it matter if I don't know what the retail price/print run/final contents of my folio will be?
We need to know as much of this information as possible in order to (a) furnish the copyright owner(s) with a complete set of request details and (b) determine the appropriate fee once clearance has been obtained. However, it could be possible to obtain clearance "in principal" with some of this information missing, on the understanding that the full details must be provided before any licence will be issued.
Musical Arrangement / Adaptation
Do I need a licence to just change the instrumentation?
Yes.
Why do I need permission to make an arrangement?
To alter the work in any way without permission is a breach of copyright.
Do I still need a licence if it's for a free performance?
Yes.
Do I still need a licence if it's for my own personal use?
Not if it's for private study.
What are the minimum print run quantities that you will consider licensing for commercial arrangements?
Brass Band & Wind Band: 30 units minimum / Jazz Band & Big Band: 40 units minimum / Concert Band: 50 units minimum
Samples
Do I need a licence to sample music?
Yes, please make it clear this is a sample. If recording you will also need to disclose this to the MCPS or your equivalent local society.
Educational Textbook
Do you offer reduced fees for educational textbooks/publications?
In certain circumstances and if the licensors of other copyright works included in the publication also agree to the same reduced fees/rates.
Are we allowed to "gap-fill" the lyrics (i.e. omit certain words for teaching exercises/activities)?
Yes, but you must submit the context page showing how the lyrics are treated in order that we can obtain permission.
Are we allowed to make photocopiable pages in resource books?
Yes but you must inform us when submitting your request that you wish to do so in order that we can obtain permission.
Dissertation / Thesis
Do I have to pay if my print use is for academic study?/Do I still need a licence?
You must apply for a print licence, but the fee will be waived.
What if my thesis is published in the future?
In the event that your paper is published you must inform us. Generally we do not charge for publication of texts originally written as academic theses.
Do you need a copy of the paper for your records?
Generally speaking no, though there may be exceptions.
Text-only Publication
Do I still have to pay if I'm only using the lyrics?
Yes, lyrics are also protected by copyright.
Will the owner of the music also own the text?
Not necessarily. You should submit a full request to Faber Music and we will inform you if certain rights require clearance elsewhere.
Can Faber Music clear translations as we'd like to print in more than one language?
In some cases, yes. You can specify these details in your request. We will inform you if certain rights require clearance from another organisation.
Do I still have to pay if the lyrics are used in a free programme?
Yes, you must obtain a print licence for this use.
Magazine / Newspaper
Do I still have to pay if I'm only using the lyrics?
Yes, lyrics are also protected by copyright.
Will the owner of the music also own the text?
Not necessarily. You should submit a full request to Faber Music and we will inform you if certain rights require clearance elsewhere.
Can Faber Music clear translations as we'd like to print in more than one language?
In some cases, yes. You can specify these details in your request. We will inform you if certain rights require clearance from another organisation.
Do I still have to pay if the lyrics are used in a free programme?
Yes, you must obtain a print licence for this use.
Audio-Visual
Is this the same as 'synchronisation'?
Yes.
I'm a student, do I still have to pay?
Yes.
I need a licence urgently, how long will it take to get approval?
Please submit an Audio-Visual request form using our Online Licensing system and indicate if the request is urgent in the box provided. If you're in a hurry, you may wish to follow up your submission with a phonecall or e-mail to our Licensing Department (Tel: +44 (0) 20 7833 7906 / Email: licensing@fabermusic.com). We will contact you with information as soon as possible. Unfortunately there is no set timescale within which we can guarantee that we will be able to receive clearance as certain songs/catalogues take longer to clear than others.