• Copyright Law & Fair Use
• Song Splits & Ownership
• Music Clearance
• Mechanicals and Streaming (Updated for 2026)
• Derivatives & Translations
• Synchronization & Apps
• Grand Rights & Performance
• Church Resources

Not at all. Our guidebook was written for everyday creators, not attorneys. Whether you’re licensing music for the first time or you’ve been outsourcing the process for years, this book breaks everything down into clear, practical language. You’ll walk away with the clarity and tools you need to move forward with confidence.

Most online licensing advice is either too vague, overly legal, or just plain outdated. This guidebook gives you clear, accurate, field-tested information from someone who’s actually worked in licensing and publishing, so you’re not guessing, Googling, or relying on forum posts. It’s everything you need, in one place.

Fry’s Guide to Music Licensing was written by John Fry, a music licensing specialist and former clearance agent with nearly a decade of real-world experience. He’s negotiated with nearly every major publisher and record label, working on licensing deals for film, television, podcasts, live events, and churches. His goal is to make complex rights clear and accessible to everyday creators.

John has worked hands-on in licensing and publishing for years. He’s managed rights for major catalogs like Kenny Loggins, Sea Gayle Music, and the Albert E. Brumley Estate, and he currently oversees licensing and digital rights at Integrity Music. This guide isn’t theory, it’s built on experience from the field.

After years of explaining music rights to confused creators, John saw a need for a clear, no-fluff resource that could walk people through licensing without the legal jargon.Fry’s Guide was born out of that mission: to empower creators with the knowledge and tools to license music legally and confidently.

Absolutely. Whether you're licensing music for a short film, podcast episode, church livestream, or social post, this guide walks you through the rights you need and how to request them, step by step. It’s built for real-world use, not just big-budget productions.

Fry’s Guide was written for a wide range of creators: filmmakers, authors, podcasters, event producers, church staff, and yes, musicians too. If your project involves using music you didn’t write, this book can help you do it legally and confidently.

Definitely. Even if you’ve worked with a licensing agent or legal team in the past, this guide helps you understand what’s happening behind the scenes so you can negotiate better, ask smarter questions, and take more control over your creative projects.