Revised August 21, 2024

The link below contains information about copyright and tools, such as charts and videos, that can help you better understand copyright.

University of Iowa music and copyright guide

Performing Arts at Iowa Music Options for Productions

Music Requiring a License

Any performance with dramatic elements, such as acting, sets, or choreography requires grand performance rights and publisher approval for music and/or recordings under copyright and must be licensed on a work-by-work basis. This would include music that is being used in any Performing Arts at Iowa productions including live performances, livestreamed performances, and/or recorded performances from the start of the show to the end of the show. This applies to any ticketed or free performance that the general public is invited to attend. For further questions regarding rights holder information and help in determining copyright status, please contact Katie Buehner (katie-buehner@uiowa.edu) in the Music Library.

Please see the University of Iowa’s Global Music Rights License Agreement:

Click here for the Global Music Rights License Agreement

Collaborate with a Musician or Composer

Artists may also choose to collaborate with musicians and/or composers to create new music for their work. It is best practice to have a written record of your agreement when working with the musicians and/or composers.

Public Domain, Free Licenses, or Royalty-Free Music

If you do not have a budget for your production, artists may use music that is in the public domain or that is royalty/license-free. Keep in mind that some compositions are public domain, but the recordings may not be. Some good resources for free licenses or royalty-free music include:


Please carefully review the information on these sites for proper use and attribution. When you submit your program information to marketing, please be sure to include all notes for crediting the music.

*Theatre Galleries and Workshops are required to use royalty/license free music. Please refer to the Theatre Gallery and Workshop guidelines for further information.

Obtaining a License

Faculty and/or staff: will be responsible to initiate contact & secure licensing with rights holders. 

Students: please send Jason Millsap at jason-millsap@uiowa.edu the following information and he will initiate contact with the rights holder: 

  • Title of recording & Artist
  • Publisher (if known)
  • Approved budget
  • Project title
  • Brief synopsis
  • Usage (context of the scene it will be used in)
  • Duration (how much of the recording do you intend to use)

The amount of time it takes to obtain a license will depend on the publisher or rights holder, so it is recommended that you begin the process as soon as you have decided to use that music in your work. Sometimes this process can take several months.

Associate Company Manager, Jason Millsap at jason-millsap@uiowa.edu is available to support you during this process. Please reach out to him with any questions.

Please see licensing email templates to assist you as you begin to reach out to the publisher or rights holder.

Please see copyright agreement template to assist you once the publisher and/or rights holder has given permission for the music's use in your production.

If you do not obtain the license for your music, you will not be able to use that music as part of your work in the performance. Please allow yourself enough time to initiate a backup plan.

Rights Holders Databases:

Payment

Some productions in the Performing Arts at Iowa have budgets to support the payment of licensing music. Before you begin the music selection process, it is recommended that you determine if there is a budget available for your work. Licensing budget questions should be referred to the Production Director, Briana Maxwell at briana-maxwell@uiowa.edu.

Artists are strongly encouraged to use one of the free options mentioned above. 

For licensing payments:

Please send licensing invoice to Associate Company Manager, Jason Millsap at Jason-millsap@uiowa.edu to process payment. Only invoices will be accepted to process licensing and copyright payments.

Licensing contracts are not created, or signed, by anyone outside the Purchasing Office, purchasing-contracts@uiowa.edu.

Additional Resources

Uchicago fair use checklist

copyright term and public domain in the united states (cornell)

Licensing Email Templates and Final Agreement

 

The University of Iowa [name of Department] is interested in performing [title of music] in the production of [name of production] on [date(s) of performances] held in [name of venue]. This attendance [may or may not] be recorded for archival purposes [outline educational purpose of archival recording]. Anticipated attendance for the event is [# of people]. 

The University of Iowa would like to secure a license for grand performance rights for this live performance. Please let us know the terms of the license and any other information you may require in order to provide a license and cost structure for obtaining rights. Payment will be made after receipt of invoice from vendor.

Thank you for considering this request.

 

The University of Iowa [name of Department] is interested in performing [title of music] in the production of [name of production] on [date(s) of performances] held in [name of venue]. This attendance [may or may not] be recorded for archival purposes [outline educational purpose of archival recording]. Anticipated attendance for the event is [# of people]. The UI would also like to [live stream or re-broadcast] this event on its locally managed streaming server.

The University of Iowa would like to secure a license for grand performance rights for this live performance and stream. Please let us know the terms of the license and any other information you may require in order to provide a license and cost structure for obtaining rights.  Payment will be made after receipt of invoice from vendor.

Thank you for considering this request.

 

The University of Iowa [name of Department] is interested in performing [title of music] in the production of [name of production] on [date(s) of performances] held in [name of venue].  This attendance [may or may not] be recorded for archival purposes [outline educational purpose of archival recording]. Anticipated attendance for the event is [# of people].  The UI would also like to post a video recording of this performance to the University of Iowa Department of Dance YouTube channel. The UI would consider both limited (e.g., 1,000 views or one year, whichever is reached first) or perpetual licensing terms as options, cost dependent.  Payment will be made after receipt of invoice from vendor.

 

Thank you for considering this request.

Synch and Performance Agreement Template