License music, find public-domain music, see what's about to free up
Curated sources for sync, sample and rights clearance, plus a US Public Domain pipeline so music owners and creators can plan releases around the next wave of free-to-use catalog.
Where to license music
Vetted catalogs and rights-clearance routes. Always confirm territory, term and use rights with the licensor.
- Pre-cleared sync for brands, film, TV and creatorsPer-track licence · custom enterpriseCatalog of 1M+ tracks with worldwide rights
- Premium artist-led catalog for film and brand workProject-based + subscriptionCurated, higher-end indie catalog
- Creator/YouTube/social campaignsAnnual subscription · unlimited useUniversal licence covers monetised social
- High-volume short-form & podcast useMonthly subscriptionStrong UGC platform safelisting
- Boutique sync supervision for brandsCustom per-licenceCurated indie + custom composition
- Trailers, film, TV scoringPer-use licenceTrailer-grade orchestral & hybrid catalog
- Broadcast and ad productionBlanket and per-use licencesMajor-owned production catalog
- Cleared sampling for new releasesPer-sample licence + royalty splitPre-cleared samples from major + indie catalogs
- US mechanical royalty collectionFree for rightsholdersBlanket mechanical licence administrator
- US mechanical licensing for coversPer-song mechanical rateStatutory rate covers under compulsory licence
- US public performance rightsBlanket via venues/broadcastersPRO — songwriter/publisher performance royalties
Where to find public-domain music
Public-domain status varies by jurisdiction. Verify the work and recording status in your territory before commercial release.
| Source | Type | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMSLP / Petrucci Music Library ↗ | Sheet music & compositions | Classical scores, parts, manuscripts in PD | Verify status in your jurisdiction — life+70 vs US PD differ |
| Musopen ↗ | Recordings & audio | PD classical recordings and royalty-free performances | Some recordings CC-licensed rather than full PD |
| Library of Congress National Jukebox ↗ | Recordings & audio | US sound recordings published before 1925 (PD in US) | Authoritative US source; respect site terms for redistribution |
| Internet Archive — Great 78 Project ↗ | Recordings & audio | Digitised 78rpm recordings (1898–1950s) | Pre-1925 US recordings PD; post-1924 still under copyright until rolled in |
| Free Music Archive ↗ | Archive | Creative Commons + PD audio for creators | Filter by licence — not everything is true PD |
| Wikimedia Commons — Audio ↗ | Archive | Crowd-sourced PD and CC audio + scores | Confirm provenance and licence on each file |
Public Domain pipeline — what frees up next
US Public Domain Day rolls forward every January 1. Sound recordings follow the Music Modernization Act schedule; published compositions follow the 95-year term. Plan reissues, covers, sync and sample programs around this calendar.
Original publication year
- Bessie Smith — St. Louis Blues (1925)
- Gene Austin — Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1925)
- Original 1925 Louis Armstrong Hot Five sides
Entered US PD Jan 1, 2026 under the Music Modernization Act.
Original publication year
- Embraceable You — Gershwin (1930)
- Georgia on My Mind — Carmichael / Gorrell (1930)
- On the Sunny Side of the Street (1930)
1930 US-published compositions entered PD Jan 1, 2026 (95-year term).
Original publication year
- Jelly Roll Morton — Black Bottom Stomp (1926)
- Gene Austin — Bye Bye Blackbird (1926)
Enters US PD Jan 1, 2027.
Original publication year
- Minnie the Moocher (1931)
- Mood Indigo — Ellington (1931)
- Star Dust — lyric version (1931)
1931 US-published compositions enter PD Jan 1, 2027.
Original publication year
- Original 1927 Jimmie Rodgers Bristol Sessions
- Bessie Smith — Backwater Blues (1927)
Enters US PD Jan 1, 2028.
Original publication year
- Night and Day — Cole Porter (1932)
- It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (1932)
1932 US-published compositions enter PD Jan 1, 2028.
Demo benchmark · Examples are illustrative — confirm the specific work and recording status with the US Copyright Office or qualified counsel before any commercial use.