A sync fee (synchronization fee) is the one‑time, upfront payment a licensee pays to use a composition and/or master recording in timed relation to visual media – film, television, advertising, video games, or trailers. The fee is negotiated case‑by‑case and reflects factors such as track popularity, usage length, territory, media, and term. It is distinct from any backend performance royalties that accrue once the program is broadcast or streamed.
