FU License A for Music v1.0 — For Songwriters

What is the FU Licence A for Music?

FU Music A is a discovery licence for songwriters, producers, and composers.

It is designed for the stage of a career where getting meaningful placements can be harder than writing the music itself.

Most independent creators do not struggle because there is no demand for music. Films, games, podcasts, and online creators need music constantly.

The problem is often friction.

Small projects rarely have lawyers, music supervisors, or licensing budgets. Even when they love a track, the process of negotiating permissions can be more complicated than the project itself.

FU Music A is designed to remove that friction.

Instead of negotiating each use individually, you can pre-authorize selected tracks for use in qualifying FU Works while keeping ownership and control of your catalogue.

For the full legal terms, see: FU Music A v1.0 — Core Terms

Why would I use FU Music A?

FU Music A is intended for what many artists experience as the “liminal phase” of their career.

You have music.

You may even have a growing audience.

But you don’t yet have the kind of industry infrastructure that makes placements happen automatically.

At this stage, visibility and proof of work can be more valuable than small licensing fees.

A single placement in a successful independent film can often create more long-term value than a licensing negotiation that never happens.

FU Music A is designed to help creators get those opportunities.

What am I giving up?

For a track that you voluntarily place into FU Music A:

• You allow qualifying FU Works to use the track without individual sync negotiations.
• You agree not to use Content ID or similar automated claiming systems while the track remains active in FU Music A.
• You allow registered users of the track to continue using it permanently once their use becomes grandfathered.

Importantly, these commitments apply only to the specific track you register.

Nothing happens automatically.

You choose which tracks participate.

What am I keeping?

You keep ownership of your music. FU Music A does not transfer:

• Copyright ownership.
• Publishing rights.
• Streaming revenue.
• Download revenue.
• Performance royalties.
• Future licensing opportunities.

You remain free to distribute your music through:

• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Bandcamp
• YouTube
• Other platforms

The licence affects only qualifying FU uses of the registered track.

The Core Idea: Discovery Through Use

Many artists spend years trying to convince people that their music would work well in visual media.

FU Music A allows you to demonstrate it.

When a filmmaker uses your track:

• Your name appears in the credits.
• Your music becomes associated with a completed work.
• You gain a documented placement.
• You build a portfolio of real-world uses.

Over time, those placements become evidence that your music works in context.

Instead of saying “I think my music would suit films,” you can say “My music has already been used in these films.”

That difference can matter.

How does grandfathering work?

Grandfathering is one of the most important features of FU Music A.

When a filmmaker:

1. Uses your track in a qualifying FU Work; and
2. Properly registers that use;

This means they can continue distributing that work even if you later retire the track from FU Music A.

The purpose is to give creators confidence that they can invest time and money into projects without worrying that permission will disappear later.

Can I remove a track later?

Yes.

You can retire a track from FU Music A whenever you choose.

After retirement:

• Existing grandfathered uses remain valid.
• No new creators can register the track.
• You are free to pursue other licensing strategies.

For example:

• Sign with a label.
• Join a sync library.
• Negotiate exclusive deals.
• Release the track under future FU licence tiers.

Retirement affects future uses only.

When should I retire a track?

There is no fixed rule.

Many creators may leave tracks in FU Music A for years.

Others may retire a track after:

• A successful placement.
• Industry interest.
• A publishing offer.
• A label conversation.
• Significant audience growth.

FU Music A is intended to be a stepping stone, not a permanent obligation.

What kinds of tracks belong in FU Music A?

Many artists treat FU Music A tracks as discovery tracks.

Examples might include:

• Instrumentals.
• Cinematic music.
• Ambient pieces.
• Electronic music.
• Rock, pop, orchestral, or experimental works.
• Tracks you want filmmakers and creators to discover.

Some artists may place only a few tracks into FU Music A.

Others may dedicate entire albums.

The decision is entirely yours.

Typical Workflow

1. Create a track.
2. Upload it publicly.
3. Register it under FU Music A.
4. Receive a Track ID.
5. Add the licence notice to your upload.
6. Let filmmakers discover and use the track.
7. Track your placements.
8. Retire the track if and when it makes sense for your career.

A Different Way to Think About Licensing

Traditional licensing often begins with negotiation. FU Music A begins with trust.

The goal is not to maximize the value of every individual transaction. The goal is to maximize the number of meaningful opportunities available to independent creators.

For some tracks, that may not be the right choice. For others, it may be the fastest path from an unknown song to a real audience. FU Music A exists to give creators that choice.