Terms & Conditions
1. Can I use the music for free?
Well, yes and no.
YES: If you’re using the tracks to score a program intended for broadcast TV (think ABC), cable TV (think Discovery) or any of the major streaming platforms (think HBO) that have a blanket with ASCAP/BMI/SESAC, then yes. Same goes for podcasts. We ask only that you make sure the usage is properly recorded on the cue sheets and submitted to those organizations.
NO: If you’re using the tracks for non-broadcast commercial purposes (for example, what they used to call industrial films, non-broadcast marketing spots, in-house training videos, etc.), this requires a subscription or a license. Basically, if you’re getting paid either directly by a client or your employer, we get paid for the music. Fair is fair, right? Our subscriptions or license fees are quite reasonable (meaning “low”) and vary according to the scope of your project.
YES and NO: If you’re using the music on social media platforms. This is a complicated legal issue… Disputes about what’s considered “fair use” under the U.S. Copyright Act have paid the bills for a lot of lawyers over the years.* For us, it’s not so complicated. If you’re getting paid or “monetizing” the content, you should pay something to use our music. Fair is fair, right?
*If you’ve got nothing better to do, Google “the dancing baby case.” It’s low-key funny.
WE DON’T CARE: If you’re using the music for strictly personal, non-commercial purposes, like scoring your kid’s birthday party, sure, go ahead… we don’t care. But considering this is a True Crime library, you might want to consider getting help.
IF YOU’RE NOT SURE: Not really sure where your project fits in here? Just ask us. We’re easy.
2. What’s the difference between a subscription and a license.
You can think of a subscription as a bundle of licenses, including rights, that covers different kinds of projects. They’re aimed at users who produce content regularly and are “prepackaged” for convenience and to cut down on paperwork.
A single license is specific to a track or group of tracks to be used in an individual project. Licenses can be customized to fit your individual needs for your project.
3. What happens if I cancel my subscription or choose not to sign on after my free trial ends?
Anything you publish while your subscription is active is cleared forever, even after you cancel your subscription (although we don’t want you to do that, do we?). This includes content published during your free trial, even if you don't sign up after it ends.
If you don’t want to commit to a subscription and don’t have a free trial, you can purchase a license for a single track(s) for your project. The music covered under that license is cleared forever. There’s no repayment… ever.
4. What about rights and clearances?
Because Cuts like a Knife owns all the rights to our music, we can grant all required rights directly to you, according to your subscription agreement or individual license. There are no third parties involved. No hold-ups. No headaches. No hassles.
About Cuts Like a Knife
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