Clearance questions
What does one-stop mean in music licensing?
A one-stop track can generally be cleared through a single source because that source controls, or has authority to clear, all required master and publishing interests.
Why one-stop clearance matters
Music supervisors often work under tight deadlines. A track that can be cleared quickly may be easier to license than one that requires multiple approvals from unidentified writers, publishers or master owners.
Common issues that prevent one-stop clearance
- Unconfirmed co-writer ownership
- Outside publishers
- Uncleared samples
- Exclusive agreements
- Unknown master ownership
- Third-party restrictions
A checklist can identify obvious gaps, but the underlying agreements still determine whether a track can legally be represented as one-stop.