Original recording
Identify the specific master, release, label, licensing representative and available ISRC. Ask who controls the rights now and in which territories.
RIGHTS-HOLDER RESEARCH
Find the people who can actually approve your sample.
The person who performed the original song may not control the recording or the composition. Start with the exact source, then follow each right separately.
Two ownership trails to follow
Underlying composition
Identify the songwriters, publishing administrators, publishers, shares and any work identifiers such as ISWC. Multiple interests may need attention.
Research from the strongest evidence
- Write down title, version, artist, release date and timestamps
- Collect label credits and identifiers from legitimate recordings and official release metadata
- Cross-check composition information with relevant performing-rights and mechanical-rights organisations
- Look for changes of ownership, administration or territory representation
- Ask each potential controller to confirm authority and the exact share they can license
Common dead ends
The performer owns everything. Not necessarily. Performers, writers, labels and publishers can have different interests.
One database covers all rights. A work registry may help identify the composition but not conclusively establish master ownership.
The record is old, so it is free to sample. Copyright duration, territory and rights history require checking; age alone is not permission.
One reply clears all shares. A single approval may cover only the respondent’s specific interest.
When the owner cannot be located
Document search attempts and outstanding questions, but do not present unsuccessful research as a licence. AMM can help assemble a rights trail, investigate representatives and prepare a properly targeted request. Where the legal position is uncertain, specialist advice is important.
If you have only a rough reference, artist name or fragment of a mix, start there. The initial enquiry does not require every controller to be known.
Send the source and planned release. AMM can help organise the permission search and the rights-holder conversation. No fee or clearance is promised until agreed with the relevant parties.
Start a request ↗