Hey everyone,
Has anyone had any experience with TV series taking their tracks and reworking or remixing them by changing the structure and adding vocals? I’m curious about the legalities surrounding this, especially in relation to AudioJungle licenses.
I’ve just discovered that a series on the Discovery Channel has used one of my tracks but has altered its structure, added vocals, and used it as their theme song. Are they allowed to do this without my prior consent?
TIA
Conhuir
It sounds like a tricky situation. In general, the AudioJungle license terms are pretty specific about how music can be used, and altering a track—like restructuring it or adding vocals—can potentially cross into territory that requires extra permissions or a different kind of license. Typically, the standard license covers using the track as-is, but making changes could require a more extensive license or your explicit consent, especially if it’s being used as a theme song for a major TV series like on the Discovery Channel.
It would be a good idea to double-check the exact license they purchased for your track. If it’s outside the bounds of what’s allowed, you may want to reach out to them or consult with a legal expert to clarify your rights. Also, contacting AudioJungle support could help you understand what steps you can take in this case.
Hope you get it sorted!
Thanks, man! I’m currently doing a bit of detective work trying to match the production house with the AJ invoice. A bit tedious but hopefully get to the bottom of it.
This is not allowed. No one can modify your music without your permission. Consider please less pleasant possibility - someone did it with your track and sold it. Envato license strictly prohibited such modification. They also need to purchase broadcast license in this case. And even this license prohibit such modification. Huge problem of Envato - they blind about this cases.
UPDATE: The situation has become more complicated. I’ve discovered that the track was originally purchased by one of the cast members from the series. He added his own vocals and then (I assume) presented it to the production house as his own work, and they ended up using it in the series.
I’m unsure how to proceed, as it seems like this person doesn’t fully understand what he’s done. I’ve also contacted the production house, but I’m still waiting for a reply.
Here’s what the original purchaser said:
“Hello, yes my name is , not sure which track is the “*” but I imagine it is one that I purchased and made a song from, then told (production house) they could use, but I did not purchase it on their behalf, I had already made any songs they wanted to use. I am a cast member on the show and they thought it would be cool to use some of my music in the background of the scenes.”
The part where he says, “my music,” concerns me a bit.
Should I wait for the production house to reply and let them handle it, or should I address this directly with the cast member?
Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.
This sounds more like copyright infringement. You can’t just put vocals on a track and make it your own, let alone then have it used in a production.
To me this cast member is in serious trouble.
You should consult with a lawyer first, that would be my advice.
File DMCA notice but better to write prior this to their boss. This is clear copyright and license violation, please read carefully Envato Market license terms. Ask for comepnsation not from this guy but from company. Register this track in content ID and PRO and you will earn good money from it
100% agree.
Thanks guys! I’m going to try keep this as amicable as possible. Hopefully I won’t need to involve legal help and the Production House resolve it asap. I’ll keep you guys updated and thanks again for the advice.
That right there is a breach of the terms.
Since the buyer is talking about their music, make sure you are credited as the sole author. PRO money should go to you not the other guy.
As @LumenMedia said ask for compensation from the company, let them deal with it on their end.
You can let the buyer know they breach the terms and that what they did is not allowed. Ask them if they registered the “song” anywhere, and demand they remove it if that’s the case.
Amicable is the way to go. But if they are reluctant, threatening with legal consequences works well.
Good luck!
Thanks bud! I’ll definitely be asking about where else it’s registered when we get the licensing sorted.
Reading over his reply again there has me wondering, how many tracks has he done this with? There is a lot of music in this series. My TuneSat account only detected 1 of mine thankfully.
To understand how much the track has changed, it would be nice to listen to the original version and the final version. Then you can make claims to the company (or actor) on each track point. Can I post it here? It would be easier for the musicians to give advice on each changed point.
Hey, I appreaciate you want to help but I’m going to keep this part hidden for the time being. I will say though that he has added Rap style Vocals, DJ vinyl scratches and has chopped up parts of the track.
UPDATE: It gets worse! So I hadn’t heard anything back from either parties involved so I had to bring out the DMCA ‘threat’ @LumenMedia mentioned. which seems to have worked as the production house have come back and they said:
Hi,
I’m sorry you’ve been unable to reach ___ about your song. ___, who had previously handled clearance and licensing on this production was not aware that you had contributed to any of the Name/ARTIST NAME’s music.
Could we set up a call to discuss the situation?
I have found the Artists spotify and like @PurpleFog said he has infact released the song, has 5000+ plays and does not even credit me as a writer.
Should I set up a call with the production house and if so how would you guys approach resolving this?
TIA
I would also start organising your files, make screenshots of when you created your project etc at this point. Collecting proof that you are the sole and original composer and producer.
I would consult a lawyer at this stage.
The call with the production house is an excellent idea, but be prepared for the discussion. You need compensation for such usage—this is 100% something you need to achieve, as well as being credited in the videos. Remember, these guys are committing a crime by using your music illegally, and you are entitled to fair compensation. However, be wise and accept a reasonable deal if one is offered to you. I also suggest asking for a link to Spotify—it’s possible this person has used more than just your music, as has happened in similar cases.
Can’t say I’m surprised, this is unfortunately not unheard of.
As @CWMusic said, you want to have all documents proving your prior ownership of the asset. The invoice to the buyer is important as well, since it proves the offender did get the music from you. This will make sure the production company does not doubt your words. More importantly it will show them that you are organized and thus serious and that they shouldn’t dismiss you as a dreamer musician who won’t be able to do anything about this.
Ask them how much they paid the offender… that should be your money. Then you can ask for compensation on top of that.
Even if they were lied to by the offender, the production company is still responsible and accountable. And this is a pretty severe offense. Remind them of that too.
Good luck with this, never a fun situation. But hopefully you’ll get paid eventually.
As far as I can see, all your works are registered with PRS and AdRev, so I don’t think you’ll have any issues proving you’re the rightful composer and owner. Screenshots, original project files and that stuff could come handy too.
As mentioned earlier, you definitely deserve proper compensation. I hope you’re able to reach a fair agreement without needing legal assistance.
Best of luck! 
You have 100% rights for compensation. That’s one of the most obvious copyright violations I’ve heard.
For compensation should I not just ask them to purchase the TV broadcast and film license for the track set at $3000? or is this extreme/greedy?