The Journal of Intellectual Property (J Intellect Property; JIP)

KCI Indexed
OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED

pISSN 1975-5945
eISSN 2733-8487

The Relationship Between Sync Licenses and Copyrights in Music Used in Visual Media

CONTENTS

Research article

Citation: Kim H, 2024. The Relationship Between Sync Licenses and Copyrights in Music Used in Visual Media. The Journal of Intellectual Property 19(3), 89-110.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34122/jip.2024.19.3.5

The Journal of Intellectual Property, 2024 September, 19(3): 89-110. 

Received on 8 July 2024, Revised on 19 July 2024, Accepted on 3 September 2024, Published on 30 September 2024.

The Relationship Between Sync Licenses and Copyrights in Music Used in Visual Media

Hyun-sook Kim*

Director, Policy and Legal Research Center, Korea Music Contents Association; Ph. D, Republic of Korea

*Corresponding Author: Kim, Hyun-sook (record@paran.com)

Abstract

Visual media platforms are expanding, and providing global access to content with just an internet connection. As video services become unrestricted by time, location, and borders, the issue of sync licenses for music used in videos has re-emerged in the video and music copyright markets. Contract issues, once considered a matter of local practice, now extend across national boundaries. This study examines the nature of sync licenses under copyright law. It aims to define the concept, identify the ownership rights involved, interpret how economic and moral rights apply, and determine who can exercise these rights. Moreover, ensuring appropriate protection for both music industry rights holders and visual media users is a key challenge in copyright law. Hence, this study also identifies the problems faced in sync licenses, explores how academia and industry can respond, and examines industry-specific issues. This investigation is valuable as Sync licenses are not just domestic issues. As new technologies develop and the environment changes, continuously reviewing and reflecting on whether the objectives and balance of copyright law are being achieved is essential.

Keywords

Synchronization rights, Sync rights, Music copyright, Sound recording sync

Funding

The author received manuscript fees for this article from Korea Institute of Intellectual Property.

Conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.