Royalty-Free Lyrics Licensing Explained: How to Buy & Sell Legally

What Is Royalty-Free Lyrics Licensing?

Royalty-free (RF) lyrics licensing allows you to purchase lyrics once and use them forever without paying recurring fees. Unlike traditional music royalties (where copyright owners earn per use), RF lyrics come with a one-time payment for unlimited usage.

 For Buyers: Use lyrics in songs, ads, or videos worry-free
 For Sellers: Earn upfront payments without tracking usage

(Related: How Songwriters Make Money from Licensing)

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How Royalty-Free Lyrics Work

1. Types of RF Licenses

License Type	Allowed Uses	Price Range
Standard	Non-commercial, indie projects	$10-$50
Extended	Ads, films, TV, games	$100-$500+
Exclusive	Full ownership (no resale)	$500-$5,000

Example: A YouTuber buys standard RF lyrics for a cover song. A game studio pays extended RF fees for soundtrack lyrics.

(Learn more: Music Licensing Basics (BMI))

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Where to Buy Royalty-Free Lyrics

Top Marketplaces

1. LyricFind (lyricfind.com) – Major-label approved
2. Pond5 (pond5.com) – For video creators
3. AudioJungle (audiojungle.net) – Budget-friendly

Tip: Always check license terms before purchasing.

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How to Sell Your Lyrics Royalty-Free

Step-by-Step Process

1. Register as a Seller on platforms like:
• Soundee (For indie lyricists)
• BeatStars (For full song packages)
2. Set Your Price (Example ranges):
• Non-exclusive: $20-$100 per lyric
• Exclusive: $300+ (transfer copyright)
3. Upload Clean/Stem Files
• Include text files + timestamps for sync licensing

Pro Tip: Offer bundles (e.g., 5 lyrics + 1 free) to boost sales.

(Read: How to Price Your Lyrics Fairly)

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Legal FAQs

❓ "Can I copyright royalty-free lyrics?"

Yes, but buyers get usage rights per your license terms. You retain authorship.

❓ "Do I need to credit the lyricist?"

Depends on the license. Standard RF often requires credit; extended RF may not.

❓ "What happens if someone uses my RF lyrics illegally?"

You can issue takedowns via DMCA. Platforms like LyricFind enforce compliance.

(Source: U.S. Copyright Office)

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Royalty-Free vs. Traditional Licensing

Feature	Royalty-Free	Traditional
Payment	One-time fee	Ongoing royalties
Paperwork	Simple terms	Complex contracts
Best For	Indies, startups	Major labels, films

Case Study: An indie artist saved $2,000/year by using RF lyrics instead of paying per-stream royalties.

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Top Earning Strategies for Lyricists

1. Sell Non-Exclusive RF Licenses (Earn from multiple buyers)
2. Offer "Premium" Extended Licenses (Higher fees for commercials)
3. Bundle Lyrics with Beats (Increase perceived value)

Tool Suggestion: Use Kontakt.io to track lyric sales.