FAQs about Licensing Our Music

These are frequently asked questions about licensing Tatsuya Oe’s music. Hopefully, you will refer to our tutorial and guide pages as well. If you have any further questions after reading those guides, feel free to ask us via the contact page (as long as they are related to our music and licensing service).

How to Obtain a License to Use Our Music
Music Licensing Guide (Knowledge Base)
How to Deal with PRO

For what kind of media projects can we use music from your catalog?

While we focus on so-called “Sync Licensing,” we handle a wide range of licenses like the examples below. We strongly recommend you look at the Licensing Guide page as well to understand the basics of music licensing.

– Synchronization Uses –

Films
TV Programming (Shows, Documentaries, Dramas, News, etc.)
TV Advertising Campaigns (Commercials)
Film Trailers & TV Promos
Corporate Productions (Theater, Competition Video/Slide, etc)
Video Games and Software
Internet Websites, Webisodes, Flash
Products and Toys
Video Packages (Music for Video, DVD or CD-ROM)

– Non-synchronization Uses –

Radio Programming and Advertising Campaigns (Commercials)
Audio Projects
Music Compilation (CD, PC Audio)
Public Space (Live Events, Restaurants, Trade Shows, Retail Spaces)
Ringtones (Master/Pre-Recorded Ringtones)

Which releases and songs are 100% pre-cleared for sync licenses?

[Newly-Launched] Model Electronic Records Catalog for Professional Licensing

All the releases and tracks from Model Electronic Records (Tatsuya’s own label) have been registered to PRO/MRO in terms of performing and mechanical rights. We, Model Electronic, own their master rights as well. We offer a convenient one-stop resource, ensuring your musical needs are met quickly and hassle-free license deals are brought to you.

If your request involves a performance license, such as a broadcasting use, you will need to submit a report/cue sheet and pay (or have someone pay) appropriate performing royalties. But don’t worry—we understand the nuts and bolts of music licensing and could address the specific needs of your project.

For some of Tatsuya’s (old) songs that were NOT released from Model Electronic Records, you may need to ask their labels (copyright owners) and publishers for sync. These references will be useful for checking who is in charge of the songs.

Releases from Model Electronic Records (100% Pre-cleared and One-stop)
(Entire) Discography
JASRAC J-WID (Works Information Database, Japanese only)
NexTone Database (On a domestic basis, the affiliation of Tatsuya’s self-published songs will be shifted from JASRAC to NexTone in April 2024. JASRAC will remain in charge of international operations only.)
Music Forest (Japanese only)

I’d like to use your music for my monetized video on Youtube. Do I have to get permission from you?

Yes. Whether you advertise something in your video or not, monetizing through your video on video-sharing websites such as YouTube and Twitch TV is supposed to be regarded as a profit-earning use, i.e. commercial use/license. You are required to contact us via the License Form to obtain a license to use our music and pay the license fee. Please note that we don’t grant any license to use our pre-released tracks for a project whose music budget is low (less than $100). Thanks for your understanding.

Do you license your music for personal use such as background music of my (sports, motivational, wedding, etc.) videos?

Unfortunately, our music license is unavailable for non-commercial, non-profit videos and personal/private or student productions on any media. We handle only commercial licenses with a specific budget. Please note that we don’t provide anyone with formal authorization to use our music for free. When it comes to using our music for your “monetized (ad-driven)” YouTube videos, please refer to the Q3.

Any inquiries for these non-commercial uses will not be answered since we don’t have the resources to reply to all of them. Thanks for your understanding.

Do you do additional/custom edits for these pre-existing tracks?

While we could meet your needs by providing additional production and custom edits of our pre-existing tracks, this would charge you extra fees in addition to the basic license fees. As we already have many alternative mixes and edits/stems of our music, we will try to find out how you could use them lest they exceed your budget’s capacity.

Do you have a rate card?

As license fees vary according to how you use our music, we concluded that generalizing license rates and automating the licensing process too much could work against our goal.

We do not aim to be a “music delivery service” or a “supermarket of music licensing” just to achieve as many placements as possible. Our priority is to offer a quality music licensing service.

We are committed to understanding your needs, providing appropriate music at rates that are fair and reflective of the value our music brings, and building a long-term relationship with our clients. This commitment to quality and client relationships is at the core of our business.

How can I use your music for a sample/beat of my new song legally?

To avoid the complexity and possible troubles of sampling clearance and agreements, we basically do NOT permit other artists to sample our master recordings for their new works (unless they work with experienced A&Rs and attorneys who can address the legal process and payment responsibly). This includes derivative works/acts such as singing or rapping a new song on any part of our masters, of course.

Please understand and look for other easy-to-clear sampling sources. Many royalty-free music services outside are available to you. Thanks for your interest!

Reference: “When You Need Permission to Sample Others’ Music” (Nolo)

Note: As of 2025, we have never given anyone permission to use Dark Model’s music as a sampling source. If you find a song, track, or beat by another artist that samples Dark Model’s music, that use is considered a violation of our copyright and constitutes illegal use.

As a professional licensing agent, how can I have a non-exclusive sync representation deal with you?

Feel free to ask us via the contact page. We would appreciate your interest. Please note that we are not seeking (sub-)publishing deal and an exclusive representation.