OML-GUIDE.txt

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OPEN MUSIC LICENSE (OML) v1.0
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
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OVERVIEW

The OML framework provides four simple, practical licenses for modern music 
creators. All licenses are compatible with using sample libraries like Splice, 
Loopcloud, etc. in your productions (except OML-F which is fully open source).

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THE FOUR LICENSES

OML-F (FREE/OPEN SOURCE)
• Completely FREE with no revenue limits
• Truly open source - modify, sell, redistribute freely
• Can extract and use stems/samples
• Only requires attribution and license inclusion
• Most permissive option for maximum sharing

OML-P (PERSONAL USE)
• FREE for projects under $1,000/year revenue
• Requires attribution to creator
• Can monetize on streaming, YouTube, social media, etc.
• Works for beats, songs, samples, loops - everything
• Must upgrade to OML-C when you exceed $1,000

OML-C (COMMERCIAL USE)  
• For unlimited commercial revenue
• Required when revenue exceeds $1,000/year
• Payment structure negotiated between creator and user
• Options: percentage royalty, flat fee, or hybrid
• All commercial uses permitted

OML-S (SYNC LICENSE)
• Specifically for visual media (film, TV, ads, video games, etc.)
• Flat fee structure based on project scope
• Covers both master and sync rights in one agreement
• Specify term, territory, media, and usage details
• File cue sheets with PROs for performance royalties

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KEY IMPROVEMENTS IN v1.0

SIMPLIFIED STRUCTURE
• Removed complex legal jargon
• Focused on practical, real-world usage
• Clear "can do" and "cannot do" sections
• Easier to understand and implement

COMPATIBLE WITH SAMPLE LIBRARIES
• Can use Splice, Loopcloud, etc. in your productions
• Clear distinction between rights to the finished work vs. underlying samples
• Respects original sample library licenses
• No conflict with third-party terms

NO LICENSE IN TITLE REQUIRED
• License reference just needs to be somewhere accessible
• Can be in metadata, description, credits, documentation
• Doesn't clutter titles or interfere with creativity
• Makes compliance easier

NEGOTIATED PRICING
• OML-C: negotiate royalty rate or flat fee based on use case
• OML-S: negotiate sync fee based on project budget and scope
• No rigid price ranges - flexibility for both parties
• Real-world approach to compensation

INCLUSIVE FOR ALL MUSIC TYPES
• Works for beats, songs, instrumentals, samples, loops
• No separate "beat license" needed
• OML-P covers everything under the revenue threshold
• One framework for all music production assets
• OML-F provides truly open source option for maximum sharing

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WHEN TO USE EACH LICENSE

USE OML-F IF:
• You want your music to be completely open source
• You believe in maximum creative freedom and sharing
• You want others to freely extract, remix, and redistribute your work
• You don't need revenue from the music itself
• You want to build a community around your work
• You support open culture and collaborative creativity
• You want your music used as widely as possible without barriers
• Users can do anything - including selling, modifying, and redistributing

USE OML-P IF:
• You're a creator offering your music/beats for free with attribution
• Users can monetize but revenue stays under $1,000/year
• You want to support emerging artists and small creators
• You want your music accessible while reserving commercial rights
• Users include hobbyists, students, small YouTubers, indie artists

USE OML-C IF:
• Your music/beats will be used in projects earning over $1,000/year
• You want to negotiate compensation for commercial use
• User needs unlimited commercial rights from the start
• You want ongoing royalties or upfront flat fee
• Users include professional artists, labels, brands, businesses

USE OML-S IF:
• Your music will be synced with visual media
• User is making film, TV show, advertisement, video game, etc.
• You want project-specific licensing with defined scope
• You want to specify exactly how/where music can be used
• You'll receive PRO performance royalties in addition to sync fee

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USING SPLICE AND SAMPLE LIBRARIES

IMPORTANT: All OML licenses are compatible with using Splice and other sample 
libraries in your productions.

HOW IT WORKS:

When you create a beat using Splice samples:
1. You have rights to the beat you created (your original composition)
2. You can license that beat under OML-P or OML-C
3. Users get rights to use your beat as a finished work
4. Users DON'T get rights to extract and redistribute the underlying Splice 
   samples
5. This respects both OML and Splice's terms

What users CAN do:
• Use your beat in their songs/videos/projects
• Monetize their content using your beat
• Create derivative works based on your beat
• Get proper credit and licensing

What users CANNOT do:
• Extract individual samples from your beat to use separately
• Redistribute stems or isolated elements as standalone files
• Sublicense the underlying samples to others
• Claim the samples as their own

WHY THIS WORKS:

Copyright in music is layered - you own your arrangement and composition even 
when using licensed samples. You're granting rights to your creative work 
(the beat as a complete composition), not to the underlying samples.

This is exactly how it works with traditional beat licensing and sample 
libraries - standard practice in the industry.

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ATTRIBUTION MADE EASY

Attribution doesn't need to be in titles. Just include it somewhere accessible:

AUDIO FILES:
• Metadata fields: Producer, Composer, Comment
• Example: Producer: "Radio Tom" + Comment: "Licensed under OML-P"

STREAMING PLATFORMS:
• Use built-in credits features (Spotify Credits, Apple Music)
• Track descriptions
• Example: Add "Radio Tom" to Producer credits

VIDEO CONTENT:
• Video description
• End credits (minimum 3 seconds)
• Example: "Beat by Radio Tom (Licensed under OML-P)"

SOCIAL MEDIA:
• Post caption or first comment
• Example: "Music by Radio Tom | OML-P"

WEBSITES/PODCASTS:
• Credits page or show notes
• Footer attribution
• Example: "Music: Radio Tom - Licensed under OML-P"

The key: Make it findable if someone looks for it. It doesn't need to be 
prominent, just accessible.

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REVENUE THRESHOLD EXPLAINED (OML-P)

What counts toward the $1,000 threshold:
• Streaming royalties (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
• YouTube ad revenue
• Song/beat sales
• Show tickets if your music is performed
• Sponsorships related to content using the music
• Crowdfunding (Patreon, Ko-fi, etc.)
• Any other income from projects using the music

What's included:
• If you use the music in MULTIPLE projects, add up ALL revenue
• Rolling 12-month period from first revenue
• Gross revenue (before expenses)

When you hit $1,000:
• You have 30 days to contact creator and get OML-C
• Negotiate payment terms
• Continue your projects without interruption

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PAYMENT OPTIONS (OML-C)

OPTION A: PERCENTAGE ROYALTY
• Pay a percentage of your revenue
• Typical range: 2-10% depending on how much you use the music
• Quarterly reports and payments
• Good for ongoing projects with variable income

OPTION B: FLAT FEE  
• One-time payment for specified use
• Negotiate based on your project and budget
• No ongoing reporting required
• Good for projects with defined scope

OPTION C: HYBRID
• Upfront payment + reduced ongoing royalty
• Example: $1,000 upfront + 3% quarterly
• Combines benefits of both approaches
• Good for larger projects with ongoing revenue

All rates and amounts are negotiated between you and the creator - no rigid 
price lists.

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SYNC LICENSING (OML-S)

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
• Master rights (to use the recording)
• Sync rights (to use the composition)
• Complete clearance in one agreement
• No separate deals needed

SPECIFY YOUR NEEDS:
• Term: How long (perpetual, 1 year, 5 years, etc.)
• Territory: Where (worldwide, US only, etc.)
• Media: What platforms (theatrical, streaming, social, etc.)
• Usage: How featured (main theme, background, credits, etc.)

PAYMENT:
• Flat fee negotiated based on project
• Depends on: budget, scope, prominence, territory, term
• Separate from PRO performance royalties
• Usually paid upfront or 50/50 (execution + before first use)

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• File cue sheets with PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
• Provide proper credits
• Stay within licensed scope
• Report usage to creator

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What's the difference between OML-F and OML-P?
A: OML-F is completely open with no revenue limits - truly free and open source. 
OML-P is free under $1K but requires upgrading to OML-C for commercial use above 
that threshold. OML-F also allows redistribution of stems/samples, OML-P doesn't.

Q: When should I use OML-F vs OML-P?
A: Use OML-F if you want maximum openness and don't need revenue from the music. 
Use OML-P if you want to support small creators for free but get paid when 
projects become commercially successful.

Q: Can I use beats made with Splice under OML?
A: Yes! OML v1.0 is specifically designed to work with sample libraries. You 
license the beat as a finished work, not the underlying samples.

Q: Do I need to put "Licensed under OML-P" in my song title?
A: No! Just put it somewhere accessible like metadata, description, or credits.

Q: What if I make $999 one year and $200 the next?
A: The threshold is per 12-month rolling period. If you make $999 in year 1, 
you're fine. In year 2, it resets - you can make another $1,000 before needing 
OML-C.

Q: Can I negotiate a lower royalty rate for OML-C?
A: Yes! All terms are negotiable between creator and user. The framework 
provides structure, but you agree on specific terms.

Q: What's the difference between OML-C and OML-S?
A: OML-C is for general commercial music use (releases, streams, performances). 
OML-S is specifically for synchronizing music with visual media (film, TV, ads, 
games).

Q: Do I need OML-C AND OML-S?
A: Depends on use. If you're just releasing music commercially, OML-C is 
enough. If you're putting music in a film/ad/game, use OML-S. For a music 
video of your own song, OML-C covers it.

Q: Can I switch between percentage and flat fee later?
A: Only by mutual written agreement. Once you choose a payment structure and 
sign the agreement, it stays unless both parties agree to change it.

Q: What if someone violates the license?
A: License terminates automatically. They must stop using the work. You can 
seek legal remedies. For attribution violations, they get 15 days to cure.

Q: Can I use OML for sample packs?
A: Yes! OML-P and OML-C work great for samples, loops, and one-shots. Just be 
clear about whether you're granting stem access or just the right to use 
samples in projects.

Q: What about remixes and covers?
A: Remixes and derivatives are allowed and covered under OML. Covers (re-
recordings of the composition) aren't addressed - those typically need 
mechanical licenses.

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GETTING STARTED

FOR CREATORS (LICENSING YOUR MUSIC):

1. Choose which license(s) to offer
   - OML-P for free use under $1K (most accessible)
   - OML-C for commercial use (negotiate terms)
   - OML-S for sync (project-specific)

2. Prepare your music
   - Include license file with downloads
   - Add license info to metadata
   - Provide contact info for OML-C/OML-S inquiries

3. Set your terms
   - For OML-C: decide if you prefer royalties, flat fees, or hybrid
   - For OML-S: determine your sync rates based on project type
   - Be open to negotiation

4. Promote your music
   - Mention OML licensing in descriptions
   - Make it easy for users to understand terms
   - Build community around your work

FOR USERS (USING LICENSED MUSIC):

1. Check the license
   - Look for OML-P, OML-C, or OML-S designation
   - Read the terms in the license file
   - Understand what's permitted

2. Provide attribution
   - Add creator credits in accessible location
   - Include license reference somewhere
   - Follow examples in license documentation

3. Track your revenue (for OML-P)
   - Monitor earnings from projects using the music
   - When approaching $1,000, contact creator
   - Upgrade to OML-C before exceeding threshold

4. For OML-C: Execute agreement
   - Contact creator to negotiate terms
   - Sign License Execution Agreement
   - Make payments as agreed
   - File reports if using royalty structure

5. For OML-S: Plan ahead
   - Contact creator early in your project
   - Negotiate scope and terms
   - Execute agreement before using music
   - File cue sheets with PROs

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LEGAL NOTES

THESE LICENSES ARE:
• Legally binding contracts
• Based on industry standards and practices
• Designed for enforceability
• Clear about rights and obligations

THEY INCLUDE:
• Grant of rights
• Payment obligations
• Attribution requirements
• Warranties and representations
• Indemnification provisions
• Dispute resolution procedures
• Termination conditions

THEY ARE NOT:
• Legal advice (consult an attorney for specific situations)
• Substitutes for understanding copyright law
• Guarantees against all legal issues
• One-size-fits-all solutions for every situation

BEST PRACTICE:
• Read the full license before using or licensing music
• Keep records of agreements and payments
• Communicate clearly with the other party
• Seek legal counsel for high-value deals or complex situations
• Respect both the letter and spirit of the license

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VERSION HISTORY

v1.0 (October 2025)
• Initial release
• Four complementary licenses: OML-F (Free/Open Source), OML-P (Personal Use), 
  OML-C (Commercial Use), and OML-S (Sync License)
• OML-F provides truly open source option with no restrictions
• Compatible with sample library licenses (Splice, etc.) for OML-P, OML-C, OML-S
• Flexible attribution requirements
• Negotiated pricing approach
• Clear distinction between personal use (under $1K) and commercial use
• Dedicated sync license for audiovisual productions
• Focus on practical, real-world usage

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SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

For questions about the OML framework:
• Review the full license text for detailed terms
• Consult with an entertainment attorney for specific situations
• Reach out to the creator for clarifications on their specific implementation

For licensing music under OML:
• Contact the creator directly using information provided with the Work
• Be clear about your intended use and revenue expectations
• Negotiate in good faith
• Get everything in writing

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This guide is designed to help both creators and users understand and implement 
the Open Music License framework. The OML system aims to balance fair 
compensation for creators with accessible, practical licensing for users.

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