Licenses – Overview and Definitions

In this overview, we provide a detailed explanation of the various licenses available and their specific conditions to help you choose the right license for your project. Our goal is to provide you with a clear and understandable guide that simplifies the complexity of licensing audio content.

Some basic principles:

License for Performance/Broadcasting/Distribution: Every use of audio content, whether in public performances, broadcasting, or online distribution, requires an appropriate license. This ensures that the rights of the creators are protected and the use is legally secured.
Duration: In addition to licenses without time restrictions, there are time-limited licenses, especially in advertising. These are designated as annual licenses unless otherwise indicated.
Annual Licenses: At Audiobird, we standardly offer annual licenses. These can be relicensed for additional years as needed to enable ongoing use.
Artists Determine Prices Themselves: Our Audiobird artists independently set their prices for services, but they align with industry standards to ensure fairness and market conformity.
Possibility of Relicensing: There is the option to relicense licenses both temporally and spatially, and for additional usage contexts. This provides additional flexibility and adaptability for changing project requirements. Please contact Audiobird agency support if needed.
No TTS- or Audio-AI Licenses through Audiobird: Audiobird categorically does not offer licenses for Text-to-Speech (TTS) artificial intelligence. Any audio creations commissioned through Audiobird are, according to the General Terms and Conditions (AGB), strictly excluded from use in TTS AI applications. This ensures that audio content created by Audiocreators through Audiobird is used solely for its intended purpose and the rights of the Artists are protected.

Audiobird licenses are structured in three dimensions that allow for the definition and regulation of specific requirements of audio content for various projects:

Usage Context (the “How and Where?”): This dimension refers to the context or scenario in which the audio content is used. It defines how (in what form) and where (in which environment) the content should be used. Examples include advertising (with or without image), podcasts, audiobooks, e-learning, and so on. This category determines the type of media or purpose for which the audio content can be used.
Range Classes (the “How Much?”): This dimension determines how far-reaching the content can be distributed. It defines the “How Much?” of use, for example, whether the content can be used locally, nationally, or globally. The range classes are also linked to the advertising budget and define the geographical and demographic scope of the content’s distribution.
Media Form (as “What and Where?”): This specifies in which media formats the audio content may be used. This dimension answers questions about the “What” (e.g., television, radio, online, physical media) and the “Where” (e.g., cinema, public performances, museums, company-internal networks). This category is crucial to determine on which platforms or in which media formats the content can be presented.

Each of these dimensions helps to precisely shape the license requirements for audio content and ensures that they meet the specific needs of the project.

Advertising with Image

This license covers the use of audio content in advertising campaigns where budgets are allocated for placing ‘ads’. This includes formats such as television advertising, online video ads, and app advertisements that combine image and sound.

Advertising without Image

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

Web Video, Image Film & Presentation – Unpaid Media

This license encompasses the use of audio material for web videos, image films, and presentations where no additional advertising budgets are deployed for content distribution (no media budget). It covers specific applications such as corporate presentations and informational videos used online on company-owned websites or in internal networks. Distribution via social networks is not covered by this license. However, hosting of content on streaming platforms like Google Drive, YouTube, or Soundcloud is allowed, provided access is exclusively via direct links or embeddings and the audio is not listed in publicly accessible lists of the platforms.

App

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

Telephone / IVR

This license option refers to the use of audio in telephone announcements, hold music, or interactive voice response (IVR) systems. This includes welcome messages, menu navigation, and informational messages. The license permits the use of licensed audio content in the telephone systems of a company or a holding.

E-Learning

This license allows the use of audio content for employee training and informational purposes such as online courses and tutorials. The licensing remains restricted to internal use and covers applications such as employee training and teaching materials. Public presentations on the internet are not covered.

Audioguide

This license is specifically suited for educational and informational applications such as museum and city tours. It allows the use of audio content for teaching and informational purposes in museums and similar public or private institutions, focusing on the provision of audio material for tours and similar informative purposes.

Podcast

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

Audiobook / Radio Play

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

Game

This license enables the integration of audio content into video games. It covers the use and distribution of audio material within a single video game of a manufacturer.

Trade Fair and POS Presentation

This license permits the use of audio content for presentations at trade fairs and at the point of sale (POS). It encompasses the distribution of audio in sales rooms, at trade fair stands, or at similar promotional events.

Editorial Content (Documentaries, Reportages)

For documentaries, TV reportages, radio broadcasts, audio descriptions, and similar editorial content. The licensing considers the use of audio content in journalistic and informative formats, including the rights to broadcast and replay. Commercial content from companies is not covered by this license.

Live Events

This license permits the use of audio content at live events, including concerts, shows, and public events. It allows 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.

Virtual Reality (VR / AR)

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

Social Media

This license allows the use of audio content in 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.

Background Music in Public Spaces

This license permits the use of audio content as background music in public areas such as shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, and stores. It allows the playback of licensed music tracks or other audio elements for atmospheric design of these places.

Internal Utilization (for Presentations / Layouts)

This license allows the use of audio content for internal projects, market research initiatives, agency pitches, and presentations to clients. This license covers both internal meetings and strategy development, 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 but focuses on use within internal and client-oriented communication.

Total Buyout

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

One-Year License

This license allows the use of audio content for a period of one year, with specific conditions depending on the usage context. Within the one-year period, the licensed audio content can be used according to the agreed usage scenarios. After the year ends, there is the possibility to extend or adjust the license to meet the changing requirements of the project.

Small Reach (City or Advertising Budgets up to €10,000 / Use for 1 Year)

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

Medium Reach (Metropolitan Area or Advertising Budgets up to €100,000 / Use for 1 Year)

Covers advertising placements within a metropolitan area of a country or smaller online campaigns. The license is limited either by the geographic region “A Metropolitan Area up to 15 Million Inhabitants” or by an advertising budget of up to €100,000 per year and campaign. The license can additionally be restricted by the selection of specific media forms, thereby limiting the use to certain media.

Large Reach (National / Use for 1 Year)

This license allows nationwide dissemination of advertising content with a budget range of €100,000 to €25 million within the period of one year. The license covers a national reach that is additionally limited by the set maximum budget.

Global Reach (Use for 1 Year)

Global Reach (Use for 1 Year): This license enables the use of audio content in worldwide advertising campaigns with a maximum duration of one year. The advertising budget for distribution is set in a range of €100,000 to a maximum of €100 million. The license covers advertising placements with a global reach and is limited by the maximum allowable advertising budget.

Global, Time-Unlimited Use in the Usage Context

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

Total Buyout

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

No Restrictions (All)

Allows the use of audio content in all media formats without specific limitations, considering the usage context and, if applicable, the range class.

Television (TV)

License for the use of audio content in traditional and digital linear television formats, including advertising or program content, considering the usage context and, if applicable, the range class.

ATV / CTV

Covers the use of audio content in Addressable TV and Connected TV for targeted advertising placements. The license is granted considering the usage context and, if applicable, the range class.

Radio

Covers the use of audio content in radio broadcasts or radio advertising, including terrestrial, satellite, and internet radio in linear form, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class. The license does not include online audio ads in streaming portals.

Online

Refers to the use of content on online platforms, including websites, social media, online streaming services, and digital advertising formats, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

Social Media

Allows the use of audio content in social media, including posts, stories, and interactive formats, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

Streaming Platforms

License for the use of content on streaming services such as Spotify, Netflix, Audible, Apple Music, YouTube, or similar platforms, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

Influencer Marketing

Enables the integration of audio content into influencer marketing campaigns on various social media platforms, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

Software, Apps

License for the integration of audio content into software applications and mobile apps, including user interface sounds and background music, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

Cinema

Enables the use of content in cinema productions or advertisements, in traditional cinemas, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

Physical Media

Covers the use of audio content on physical media such as CDs, DVDs, and vinyl. The license is granted considering the usage context.

Public Performances

License for the use of content in public events, concerts, theater performances, and other live events. The license is granted considering the usage context.

Museums and Educational Institutions

Enables the use of audio content in museums, educational institutions, exhibitions, and similar cultural institutions. The license is granted considering the usage context.

Company-Internal Networks

Refers to the use of content within company networks, for example, for internal training, presentations, or intranet, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR)

License for the integration of audio content into VR and AR applications, including interactive and immersive experiences, considering the usage context and any restrictions related to the range class.

ONLINE ARCHIVE

The Archive License allows clients to keep their commercials available in public channels even after the original utilization period has expired. This license is particularly relevant when a commercial has been online for a specific duration – for example, one year – and is intended to remain publicly accessible after this period, without being actively promoted or used.

Other

Covers special or unconventional usage scenarios not included in the above categories.

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Quick and easy commissioning (often less than 48 hours project duration)
Uncomplicated subsequent licensing and license upgrades
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