Budgeting for music and video usage permissions

Music and usage permissions are real costs, and they can sit inside the quote, on your side, or nowhere. Ask which licences are included and for which uses before you compare totals. The right answer depends on where the video will be shown, not only on the song.

What exactly are you asking permission for?

Does a licence stop a takedown?

Not automatically. The MACP FAQ explains that a music licence does not automatically prevent takedowns where other rights or platform rules remain unresolved. So “we have a licence” is a starting point, not the end of the check.

For the law itself, see Malaysia’s Copyright Act 1987.

Where does this show up in a budget?

Look for these lines, or ask for them:

• The music source: library, commissioned or supplied by you.
• The licence cost, if any, and who pays it.
• The permitted uses and platforms, and the period.
• What happens if you reuse the film later, for example next year or in an advertisement.
• The replacement plan if a claim is made, such as swapping the track.

Add each one as a line in the event video budget worksheet, even if the price is not yet known, so it stays visible.

What about the music already playing at the event?

A band, DJ or playlist at the event can end up in the recording. That sound is part of the venue’s and performers’ arrangements, and it may not be cleared for sharing online. If the full recording will be posted, tell us about live music in advance so we can plan how it is recorded and what is shared publicly.

Who is responsible for what?

We are responsible for the tracks we bring and say where they come from. The organiser is usually responsible for songs or performances they ask to include, and for deciding where the film is published. We agree this before filming and write it into the quote. Keep a copy of any licence or permission for as long as the video is online.

When should you ask?

Ask before the date is fixed and before songs are chosen. Existing licences, planned uses and the platforms you pick decide whether the music needs replacing. Changing a song after the film is finished usually means re-editing, so it is easier to decide early.

What we confirm for your event

• Music source: licensed library tracks, with the uses each one allows.
• Your own song: who clears it, agreed in writing before filming.
• Replaceable music: a version where the track can be swapped, if you want one.
• Platforms and period: stated in the quote.
• If a platform flags the video: the steps to take, agreed in advance.

Music in your quote

We note the music source and the intended uses in your quote, so the permissions are visible next to the price. The filming and publication responsibilities checklist helps you document who decides what, and the permissions guides cover people on camera and privacy. Our event videography page shows what we film. For a legal question about your event, ask a qualified adviser.