The Rocket Songs License Agreement
We want to make this part really easy for you, so in a nutshell, here's what you can do with the original songs and tracks from Rocket Songs. You can:
- Record and promote your rendition of our songs through your own website, or Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube - basically share it any way you want.
- Release and sell, stream, and share your rendition of the songs anywhere from iTunes to Spotify to YouTube, your website, or a digital distribution platform of your choice - basically sell it any way you want.
Just follow the rules described below so you don’t tee-off the copyright owners.
Now, in order to keep the songwriters and publishers of the songs happy, and to keep our attorney from feeling guilty about the crazy amount of money he charges us, we need to include the legal interpretation of the License Agreement, so here it is:
This is The Rocket Songs License Agreement, which details the rights you have to the original songs you licensed and received from RocketSongs.com. It’s a binding legal agreement between the Licensee and Radar Management Group LLC, the company that owns and does business as Rocket Songs. When you agree to these terms and conditions before checkout, the Licensee is agreeing to the entire License Agreement.
This Rocket Songs License Agreement is made between the purchaser, hereafter referred to as the "LICENSEE" (“You”), and, Radar Management Group LLC, DBA Rocket Songs, hereafter referred to as the "LICENSOR"(“Us), in regards to the music files hereafter referred to as the "TRACKS".
All parties are legally bound by the terms and conditions contained herein.
PURPOSE
Radar Management Group LLC, DBA Rocket Songs (“Licensor”) is authorized to grant certain rights in and to the sound recording ("Master") and the underlying musical composition, collectively known as "Tracks". The Licensee (“You”) seeks to license the Songs & Tracks that are located on the RocketSongs.com website.
GUARANTEE
Rocket Songs guarantees that it controls the rights to represent the original song recordings and the musical compositions in each of the TRACKS, and has and will hold throughout the TERRITORY the listed rights to exploit the TRACKS as contemplated herein.
LICENSEE shall indemnify and hold the LICENSOR harmless from any and all claims, liabilities and costs, losses, damages or expenses (including attorney's fees) arising out of any breach or failure of any covenants or warranties made by the LICENSEE herein.
REPRESENTED TRACKS LICENSE GRANTED
The mechanical, synchronization, and performance rights granted to the LICENSEE within the AGREEMENT include:
(1) The right to record, re-record, and exploit your version of any of our songs for promotional purposes, such as through Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
(2) The right to record, re-record, and exploit your version of any of our songs to release and sell through a Digital Distribution platform of your choice.
Any further uses of a commercial or non-commercial nature outside of the above permitted uses are subject to approval and licensing by the relevant copyright owners.
DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION LICENSE GRANTED
You, the Licensee, are granted the right to Digitally and/or Physically Distribute (sell) your version of the licensed song, herein referred to as New Recorded Master, through any digital or physical distribution platform, including your website or third-party sales.
Rocket Songs acts as an administrator for the songs in our catalog, and therefore is responsible for collecting all royalties owned on behalf of the Writers, Publishers, Producers, and Content Partners of the songs.
You, the Licensee, shall account to and pay all royalties owned on behalf of the Writers, Publishers, and Producers and from any and all sales of the song(s) as follows:
- Semi-annually, beginning January 1, within fifteen (15) days after the end of each six (6) month period.
- With your payment, provide an account of the revenue you received for each song, including revenue received from Direct and Third-Party Distribution.
1. When you release (sell) your version of the licensed song, and use the mixed instrumental track or the STEM files provided to you by Rocket Songs in your version of the licensed song, through any type of digital or physical distribution platform or store you are required to:
- Prior to distribution, request the copyright information for the song from us at info@rocketsongs.com.
- Credit the Songwriter(s), Publisher(s), and the original Producer of the song on your release by including this information when you upload your video or audio to your website, YouTube, Soundcloud, iTunes, Spotify, or any other streaming or distribution platform you may use.
- Pay 30% royalty of such income received to Rocket Songs for administration of the royalties to the Songwriters(s), Publisher(s), and the original Producer of the song.
2. When you release (sell) your version of the licensed song, and do not use the mixed instrumental track or the STEM files provided to you by Rocket Songs in your version of the licensed song, through any type of digital or physical distribution platform or store you are required to:
- Prior to distribution, request the copyright information for the song from us at info@rocketsongs.com.
- Credit the Songwriter(s) and Publisher(s) of the song on your release by including this information when you upload your video or audio to your website, YouTube, Soundcloud, iTunes, Spotify, or any other streaming or distribution platform you may use.
- Pay 20% royalty of such income received to RocketSongs for administration of the royalties to the Songwriters(s), and Publisher(s) of the song.
STREAMING LICENSE GRANTED
You, the Licensee, are granted the right to stream your version of the licensed song, herein referred to as New Recorded Master, through any authorized streaming service platform.
In regards to income you receive, as the artist or label, from streaming royalties earned by your rendition of the song:
1. If you use the mixed instrumental track or the STEM files you obtained from Rocket Songs for your rendition of the song, you are obligated to pay:
- 20% royalty of such income received to Rocket Songs.
2. In the event you are re–recording the song from scratch or you do not use the mixed instrumental track or the STEM files offered through Rocket Songs for your rendition of the song, you are obligated to pay:
- 10% royalty of such income received to Rocket Songs.
All Royalties due from sales and streams of your renditions are payable to Rocket Songs through PayPal at: royalties@rocketsongs.com
Radar Management Group LLC, DBA Rocket Songs
If you have any questions, please contact us as at info@rocketsongs.com
RIGHTS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS AGREEMENT
The rights granted to the LICENSEE do not permit the LICENSEE to (1) claim any ownership or authorship of the music represented under this AGREEMENT; (2) re-write the lyrics or melody of the music represented under this AGREEMENT; (3) transfer, share or sub-lease this license agreement with any other party; (4) permit any other individual or third party the right to use the REPRESENTED TRACKS in place of the LICENSEE; (5) resell, trade, or exploit for profit the REPRESENTED TRACKS contained herein outright or as part of other music and/or audio-related collections, in part or in whole, to any other individual or party; (6) grant synchronization rights to the Licensed song, in part or in whole, to any other 3rd party without prior approval from Radar Management Group, DBA Rocket Songs, and the Content Partner of the Licensed song; (7) grant any 3rd party record label release of the Licensed song without prior approval from Radar management Group, DBA Rocket Songs, and the Content Partner of the Licensed song, when using the underlying musical composition, collectively known as the "Tracks".
The LICENSOR maintains all intellectual property rights with regard to the marketing and sales of all tracks and any infringement thereof is punishable by law.
Limited Use of Tracks and Materials
Licensee shall not use, exploit, or in any way attempt to obtain any benefit there from the Songs & Tracks except in strict accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Territory
The territory of this contract is the world.
Reservation of Rights
As between us, Radar Management Group LLC, DBA Rocket Songs owns and retains all such rights to the Content and Services not expressly granted to you, the Licensee, in this agreement.
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Licensee shall abide by all copyright notices, information, and restrictions applicable to any Songs & Tracks and the Materials or otherwise published by the Licensor.
PERFORMANCE RIGHTS
The Licensee will agree to any additional payments to the Songwriters and Producers of the Songs & Tracks for any performance rights as negotiated according to terms of any performance rights society (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc.) that might request such payment.
EXCLUSIVITY GRANTED
With the purchase of the Rocket Songs Exclusive Use Option (“Exclusive Use Option”) for a song, the song will become unavailable for licensing on RocketSongs.com for the term length you select, and no other member or visitor to RocketSongs.com will be able to purchase a license for the song until the Exclusive Use Option terminates.
The exclusive period takes effect immediately upon purchase of the Exclusive Use Option (Effective Date).
Any member who purchases an Exclusive Use Option to a song can renew and extend the length of the exclusive period any time prior to its expiration.
The Exclusive Use Option will not prevent someone else who may have already purchased a License for the song, prior to the Effective Date of your Exclusive Use Option purchase, from releasing or sharing their version of the song.
ROYALTY FREE
If you opt to go "Royalty Free”, you can keep all the royalties you make as the Artist on the song, and never have to pay any songwriter or publishing royalties to anyone. You’ll still need to credit the songwriters and publishers on your release, but any royalties you make you keep!
The Royalty Fee option is currently available on a limited number of songs.
