- General Questions
- OML-P (Personal Use) Questions
- OML-C (Commercial Use) Questions
- OML-S (Sync) Questions
- Attribution Questions
- Revenue and Payment Questions
- Technical Questions
- Legal Questions
OML (Open Music License) is a dual-tier licensing framework designed specifically for music producers, beatmakers, and audio creators. It provides a fair, transparent, and enforceable way to license music for both personal and commercial use.
Unlike traditional music licenses or Creative Commons, OML:
- Has a clear revenue threshold ($1,000/year for personal use)
- Provides specific attribution requirements
- Offers flexible payment structures for commercial use
- Includes music-specific provisions for sampling, stems, and derivatives
- Has built-in upgrade paths from personal to commercial licensing
- OML-P (Personal): Free for personal projects under $1,000/year revenue
- OML-C (Commercial): Paid licensing for professional/commercial use
- OML-S (Sync): Special licensing for film, TV, video, and synchronization uses
OML was developed through collaborative research incorporating principles from Creative Commons, OSI-approved licenses, and music industry best practices. It's designed to balance open collaboration with fair creator compensation.
Yes, OML is designed to be legally enforceable. It uses professional legal language and includes dispute resolution mechanisms. However, as with any legal document, you should consult with an attorney for specific legal advice.
With OML-P, you can:
- Use the music in your creative projects
- Modify and create derivative works
- Distribute your projects (with proper attribution)
- Perform the music publicly
- Make money up to $1,000/year total revenue
All income from projects using the music counts, including:
- Advertising revenue (YouTube, podcasts, websites)
- Sponsorships and partnerships
- Direct sales (merchandise, tickets)
- Streaming royalties
- Crowdfunding (Patreon, Ko-fi)
- Affiliate income
- Licensing fees you receive
- Donations and tips
- It's a rolling 12-month period (not calendar year)
- Includes ALL projects using the music
- Calculated in USD (other currencies converted using XE.com rates)
- Cumulative total from all revenue sources
You have a 30-day grace period to obtain a Commercial Use License (OML-C). During this period, you can continue using the music while negotiating commercial terms. After 30 days, you must either get a commercial license or stop using the music.
Yes, but the $1,000 threshold applies to ALL projects combined. If you use the same music in multiple projects, the revenue from all projects counts toward the threshold.
Yes, you must accurately track and maintain records of all revenue from projects using the music. This protects both you and the creator.
No, you cannot sell, rent, lease, or transfer the music files as standalone products. You can only use them as part of your creative projects.
You need OML-C when:
- Your revenue exceeds $1,000/year
- You want unlimited commercial use without revenue tracking
- You need to sublicense derivative works
- You want professional warranties and protections
- You need exclusive rights
OML-C offers three payment structures:
- Percentage-based: Pay 2-10% of your revenue depending on use type
- Flat fee: Pay once upfront ($500-$100,000+ depending on scope)
- Hybrid: Pay upfront fee + reduced ongoing royalties
You pay a percentage of your net revenue:
- Featured use (main focus): 5-8%
- Background use: 2-3%
- Video games: 2.5-6%
- NFTs: 10% of gross revenue
- Sublicensing: 25% of sublicensing revenue
- Gross Revenue: Total income before any deductions
- Net Revenue: Gross revenue minus reasonable, documented costs directly related to distribution (platform fees, payment processing, etc.)
For percentage-based licenses:
- Quarterly reports due within 30 days of each quarter end
- Payment due simultaneously with report submission
- Minimum payment threshold: $50/quarter
If your calculated royalty is below $50/quarter, no payment is due. Unpaid amounts below threshold don't carry forward to future periods.
Yes, OML-C terms are negotiable. You can discuss custom royalty rates, payment schedules, exclusivity terms, and other provisions with the creator.
Late payments incur a 1.5% monthly late fee. If you fail to pay after 60 days, the creator can terminate your license.
OML-S is specifically for synchronization licensing - putting music in videos, films, TV shows, advertisements, video games, and other audiovisual content.
OML-S covers both:
- Master Use Rights: Right to use the specific sound recording
- Synchronization Rights: Right to use the underlying musical composition
- OML-S is project-specific (each project needs a separate license)
- OML-S covers sync rights specifically
- OML-S has detailed terms for territory, media, and duration
- OML-S includes professional delivery requirements
Fees vary widely based on project scope:
- Independent film: $1,000-$10,000
- Major studio film: $10,000-$100,000+
- TV episode: $1,500-$10,000
- National advertising: $15,000-$150,000
- Video games: $2,000-$50,000+
Yes, but with limitations:
- Permitted: Editing for time, fade in/out, volume adjustments, technical conversions
- Prohibited: Changes to melody/harmony, pitch shifting, adding new elements, remixing
You'll need to negotiate a license extension or renewal. The original license terms don't automatically extend.
Yes, unless your license specifically includes worldwide rights. Distribution outside the licensed territory requires a new license or amendment.
All OML licenses require attribution including:
- Creator's name
- Title of the work
- Copyright notice
- License information
- Creator's contact information (when feasible)
Attribution must be "reasonably accessible to the audience experiencing your project":
- Video descriptions and end credits
- Album liner notes
- Streaming platform credits
- Website credits pages
- Social media captions
- Live performance announcements
You can abbreviate the license name (e.g., "OML-P" after first full mention), but you cannot abbreviate the creator's name or remove required elements.
You have a 15-day cure period to add proper attribution. If you fix it within 15 days, your license is automatically reinstated.
Yes, but you must include both the translated version and the original language version.
Yes, derivative works must clearly indicate they contain or are based on the original work, plus include complete attribution to the creator.
Keep detailed records of all income sources:
- Use accounting software or spreadsheets
- Save receipts and payment confirmations
- Calculate monthly to stay on top of thresholds
- Be honest and comprehensive
When in doubt, include it in your tracking. It's better to over-report than under-report.
Use XE.com exchange rates on the date revenue was received, or equivalent service.
For OML-P: No, use gross revenue For OML-C: Yes, you can deduct reasonable, documented costs directly related to distribution (platform fees, payment processing, etc.)
Common methods include:
- Bank transfer/wire transfer
- PayPal
- Check (for domestic payments)
- Cryptocurrency (if mutually agreed)
Try multiple contact methods and be patient. Document your attempts to contact them. If urgent, consider using different music.
OML works with any audio format, but creators typically provide:
- WAV 24-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz
- AIFF
- MP3 320kbps
- FLAC
Use metadata editing tools:
- MP3: ID3v2 tags
- FLAC/OGG: Vorbis Comments
- WAV: BWF metadata
- Tools: ffmpeg, Audacity, iTunes, etc.
Yes, but you may need OML-S (Sync) licensing depending on how the music is used. Contact the creator to determine the appropriate license.
No, use of OML-licensed music for AI training requires separate written permission and is not authorized under any OML license without explicit consent.
For distribution on streaming platforms, you may need to:
- Register with PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
- Submit proper metadata
- Ensure creator gets songwriter credits
- Follow platform-specific requirements
OML is designed to be legally enforceable and includes dispute resolution mechanisms. However, legal enforcement depends on jurisdiction and specific circumstances.
OML includes a three-step dispute resolution process:
- Negotiation: 30 days of good-faith negotiation
- Mediation: Non-binding mediation if negotiation fails
- Arbitration: Binding arbitration as final step
Yes, you should consult with an entertainment attorney familiar with music licensing for specific legal advice about your situation.
Creators warrant that they own the rights they're licensing. If there's a dispute about ownership, the creator is responsible for resolving it and indemnifying you against claims.
- OML-P: No, personal licenses are non-transferable
- OML-C: Only with creator's written consent
- OML-S: Only with creator's written consent
Your license terminates automatically upon violation. You have cure periods for certain violations (15 days for attribution, 30 days for revenue threshold).
OML covers the rights granted in the license. Performance rights collected by PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) are separate and typically retained by the creator.
OML is designed to work internationally, but you should ensure compliance with local copyright laws in your jurisdiction.
This FAQ covers common questions about OML licensing. For specific legal advice or complex situations, consult with an entertainment attorney familiar with music licensing.