Legal

Intellectual Property and Music Licensing Policy

Last updated: July 14, 2026

This Intellectual Property and Music Licensing Policy explains who owns what when Melique Sound creates music and audio for you, when rights transfer, and how licensing works. It supplements our Terms and Conditions and our Music Production and Audio Services Terms.

01General principle: rights follow full payment

Until a project is paid for in full, all rights in the deliverables remain with Melique Sound. Upon receipt of full payment for the relevant work, the rights described in your proposal transfer or license to you. Previews shared before final payment are licensed only for review and carry no release or commercial rights.

02Ownership of our tools and methods

Melique Sound retains all rights in the tools, techniques, know-how, presets, templates, project structures, and pre-existing materials we use to create your work. Nothing in an engagement transfers ownership of these underlying assets, and we remain free to use them on other projects.

03Custom instrumentals and original music

For original beats, instrumentals, and compositions we create for you, the scope of what you receive—such as an exclusive transfer, a non-exclusive license, or a limited-use license—is defined in your proposal. Exclusive rights are granted only where expressly stated and paid for. In the absence of an express exclusive transfer, a non-exclusive license applies.

04Mixing, mastering, editing, and sound design

For services applied to recordings you own or control—such as mixing, mastering, audio editing, podcast editing, and sound design—you retain ownership of your underlying recordings and compositions. Upon full payment, you receive the finished deliverables together with the rights needed to use them for the purposes agreed.

05Publishing, songwriting, and credits

Where our work includes a creative songwriting or compositional contribution, any songwriting or publishing share, and any producer or engineer credit, will be addressed in your proposal or a separate agreement. We do not claim publishing or master ownership beyond what is expressly agreed.

06Samples and third-party content

If a project uses third-party samples, loops, virtual instruments, or licensed content, their use is subject to the relevant third-party licenses, which may carry their own restrictions or royalty obligations. You are responsible for ensuring any material you supply is properly cleared, and you agree that we may rely on your representations about the rights in such material.

07Moral rights and attribution

To the extent permitted by law, and where consistent with your proposal, we may request reasonable producer or engineer credit on released works. Any specific credit terms are agreed in writing. We respect your identity and will not misrepresent authorship of your work.

08Our portfolio use

We would like, where appropriate, to reference completed and released projects as examples of our work. We will only publicly associate your name or released material with Melique Sound with your agreement, and we will always keep unreleased material confidential.

09Rights you grant us to perform the work

By supplying material to us, you grant Melique Sound a limited license to use, copy, edit, and process that material solely as needed to perform the agreed services. This license ends when it is no longer required for the engagement, subject to our retention practices.

10Infringement and takedown

We respect the intellectual property of others and expect the same from our clients. If you believe content associated with our website or services infringes your rights, contact us with details and we will review and respond appropriately.

11Effect of cancellation or non-payment

If an engagement is cancelled or remains unpaid, no rights transfer, and any preview or draft materials must not be released or used commercially. Rights described in your proposal vest only upon full payment for the corresponding work.

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