Licences – Overview and Glossary

This licence covers the use of audio material for editorial, journalistic and content-driven formats, including web videos, image films and presentations, provided that distribution takes place exclusively without the use of paid advertising or reach-boosting measures (no media budget).

In particular, the following are permitted:

• Editorial and journalistic content (e.g. features, reports, interviews, editorial videos)
• Corporate and sales presentations
• Information and explainer videos
• Image and brand content with purely organic reach

Use is restricted to:

• Company-owned websites and portals
• Unpaid social media posts (no ads, no boosting)
• Internal or closed platforms and networks (e.g. Google Drive, YouTube without ads, Vimeo, intranet)

In particular, this license does not cover:

• Use in paid advertisements
• Social media ads, sponsored posts or campaigns
• Any distribution with a media budget or performance target

This licence covers the use of audio material for paid advertising activities without visual content. It applies to audio productions that are broadcast exclusively acoustically and distributed with a media budget.

In particular, the following are permitted:

• Radio advertising (local, regional, national)
• Podcast advertising and podcast spots
• Online audio ads on streaming and audio platforms
• Audio ads in music and podcast apps

Use includes:

• Paid distribution with media budget
• Audio-only advertising formats without image or video material

Not covered by this license are:

• Advertising formats with image or video content
• TV, online video, or social media video ads

This licence covers the use of audio material as part of paid advertising activities with visual content. It applies to audio that is used in combination with image or video material and distributed with a media budget.

In particular, the following are permitted:

• TV advertising and moving-image commercials
• Online video ads (e.g. pre-rolls, mid-rolls, social ads)
• Paid social media campaigns with video or image assets
• Advertisements on high-reach platforms

Use includes:

• Combined use of audio with image or video
• Paid distribution with media budget and performance goals

Note:

This licence exclusively governs the use of the audio content. Image, video or other visual rights must be cleared separately.

In the following overview, you will find all dimensions of Audiobird licences, structured according to the categories context of use, reach tier, and media format. These dimensions are specifically designed to precisely define licensing requirements for audio content and ensure that your licence is perfectly tailored to the specific needs of your project. Our goal is to provide you with a clear and understandable guide that simplifies the complexity of licensing audio content.

This licence covers the use of audio content in advertising campaigns where budgets are deployed for running ‘ads’. This includes formats such as TV commercials, online video ads and in-app advertising combining image and sound.

This licence category refers to the use of productions as audio advertising. This licence covers radio advertising, podcast spots or online audio ads on streaming platforms.

This licence covers the use of audio material for web videos, image films and presentations where no additional advertising budgets are used to distribute the content (no media budget). It covers specific applications such as corporate presentations and informative videos used online on company-owned websites or within internal networks. Distribution via social networks is not covered by this licence. However, hosting the content on streaming platforms such as Google Drive, YouTube or Soundcloud is permitted, provided access is strictly via direct links or embeds and the audio is not used in publicly accessible listings on these platforms.

This licence governs the integration of audio content into mobile and desktop applications. Audio acquired under this licence may be used as part of a specific software application. The licence applies to a single software product. Should the audio content be used in other software products from the same manufacturer or under different brand names, separate licensing is required.

This licence option refers to the use of the audio in telephone announcements, on-hold loops or interactive voice response (IVR) systems. This includes welcome messages, menu prompts and informational announcements. The licence allows the licensed audio content to be used in the telephone systems of a company or holding company.

This licence enables the use of audio content for employee training and informational purposes such as online courses and tutorials. Licensing remains limited to internal use and covers applications such as staff training and educational materials. Public presentations on the internet are not covered.

This licence is specifically suited for educational and informational applications such as museum and city tours. It enables the use of audio content for instructional and informational purposes in museums and similar public or private institutions, being limited to the provision of audio material on guided tours and similar informative purposes.

This licence covers the use of audio content for podcast episodes. It can include elements such as intro and outro music, background sounds or spoken contributions. With this licence, the audio content can be distributed in podcasts across all major podcast platforms as well as via proprietary online presences. The licence is tailored solely to a single podcast format and does not apply to multiple distinct podcast formats.

This licence governs the use of audio content for audiobooks and audio plays. It includes the rights for distribution both in digital formats and on physical media. This licence covers only aspects of the distribution of audiobooks and audio plays.

This licence allows for the integration of audio content into video games. It covers the use and distribution of the audio material within a single video game from one manufacturer.

This licence permits the use of audio content for presentations at trade fairs and at the point of sale (POS). It includes the distribution of the audio in retail spaces, on trade fair stands or at similar promotional events.

For documentary films, TV reports, radio programmes, audio descriptions, and similar editorial content. The licence covers the use of audio content in journalistic and informative formats, including the rights to broadcast and playback. Commercial/promotional content by companies is not covered by this licence.

This licence permits the use of audio content at live events, including concerts, shows and public events. It enables the integration of licensed audio materials into the design and execution of events, regardless of whether they are musical performances, stage shows, festivals or other types of public gatherings.

This licence enables the integration of audio content into VR and AR applications. It covers the use of audio in interactive virtual and augmented reality environments.

This licence allows the use of audio content (including in combination with moving images) on social media and as part of influencer marketing campaigns. It includes the integration of audio in posts, videos and other content shared on social platforms. This licence does not cover advertising campaigns where budgets are used for running ads on social media. Benchmark for a standalone unpaid 30-second social media or ad post (without paid distribution): from €250 net plus VAT. Organic posts as part of a corporate film licence are covered via the ‘Social Media’ add-on.

This licence permits the use of the audio content as background music in public areas such as shopping centres, restaurants, hotels and shops. It allows for the playback of licensed music tracks or other audio elements to shape the atmosphere of these locations.

This licence allows the use of audio content for internal projects, market research initiatives, agency pitches and presentations to clients. This licence covers both internal meetings and strategy developments as well as external presentations to clients to illustrate concepts and campaign ideas. However, it is not intended for public distribution or commercial advertising purposes, focusing instead on use within internal and client-facing communications.

Includes global and perpetual use, without restrictions regarding usage context, region, advertising budget, or time. This licence offers maximum flexibility.

This licence allows the use of audio content for a period of one year, with specific terms defined depending on the respective context of use. Within the one-year period, the licensed audio content may be used in accordance with the agreed usage scenarios. Once the year has expired, there is an option to renew or adapt the licence to accommodate the evolving requirements of the project.

Covers ad placements in a specific city or small online campaigns. The licence is limited either by the geographical region “One city” or by an advertising budget of up to €10,000 per year and campaign. The licence can additionally be restricted by specific media types, limiting use to certain media.

Covers ad placements within a metropolitan region of a country or smaller online campaigns. The licence is limited either by the geographical region ‘One metropolitan region up to 15 million inhabitants’ or by an advertising budget of up to €100,000 per year and campaign. The licence can additionally be restricted by selecting specific media types, limiting use to certain media.

This licence allows nationwide distribution of advertising content with a budget range between €100,000 and €25m within a one-year period. The licence covers a national reach that is additionally limited by the specified maximum budget. The licence can also be restricted to specific media forms, thereby limiting usage to certain media.

This licence enables the use of audio content in global advertising campaigns with a maximum duration of one year. The advertising budget for distribution is capped at a maximum of up to €100m. The licence covers ad placements with a global reach and is capped by the maximum permitted advertising budget.

Allows the use of the content worldwide without time limits. This licence class is not restricted by a specific advertising budget and allows maximum flexibility in global distribution.

Includes global and perpetual use, without restrictions regarding usage context, region, advertising budget, or time. This licence offers maximum flexibility

Enables the use of audio content across all media formats without specific restrictions, taking into account the context of use and, where applicable, the reach class.

Licence for the use of audio content in traditional and digital linear television formats, including advertising or programme content, taking into account the context of use and, where applicable, reach tier.

Covers the use of audio content in Addressable TV and Connected TV for targeted advertising. The licence is granted taking into account the context of use and, where applicable, the reach class.

Covers the use of audio content in radio broadcasts or radio advertisements, including terrestrial, satellite and internet radio in linear form, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding the reach class. The licence does not include online audio ads on streaming portals.

Refers to the use of content on online platforms, including websites, social media, online streaming services, and digital advertising formats, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding reach tier.

Allows the use of audio content on social media, including posts, stories and interactive formats, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding the reach class.

Licence for the use of content on streaming services such as Spotify, Netflix, Audible, Apple Music, YouTube, or similar platforms, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding reach tier.

Enables the integration of audio content into influencer marketing campaigns across various social media platforms, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding the reach class.

Licence for the integration of audio content into software applications and mobile apps, including user interface sounds and background music, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding reach tier.

Enables the use of content in cinema productions or cinema commercials, in traditional cinemas, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding the reach class.

Covers the use of audio content on physical media such as CDs, DVDs and vinyl. The licence is granted taking into account the context of use.

Licence for the use of content at public events, concerts, theatrical performances, and other live events. The licence is granted taking into account the context of use.

Enables the use of audio content in museums, educational institutions, exhibitions and similar cultural facilities. The licence is granted taking into account the context of use.

Refers to the use of content within corporate networks, for example for internal training, presentations, or intranet, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding reach tier.

Licence for the integration of audio content into VR and AR applications, including interactive and immersive experiences, taking into account the context of use and any restrictions regarding reach tier.

The Archive Licence allows clients to keep their commercials available on public channels even after the actual exploitation period has expired. This licence is particularly relevant when a commercial has been online for a specific duration – for example, one year – and should remain publicly accessible even after this time has expired, without being actively promoted or used.