F.A.Q. for sellers :

1. What is the public performance license on free-scores.com?
The license, issued by you, allows musicians to perform your composition at public events such as concerts. It's valid for at least 1 year for an unlimited number of performances. Note that it does not cover reproduction or audio broadcasting and isn't intended for concert organizers. This license is neither a reproduction license nor an audio broadcasting license. It's not valid for concert organizers.

2. What about the educational license?
This permits educators to use your work during lessons and also allows performances within musical education institutions. Its validity lasts for at least 1 year.

3. Who gives the final authorization?
Free-scores.com merely acts as a platform facilitating the distribution of your permissions through license sales. While you alone have the authority to approve or deny the public use of your works, by using our licensing service and adhering to our terms, you entrust us with the technical management of permissions. Hence, any license granted by Free-scores.com to a user is, in reality, your personal consent, closely tied to your moral rights over the work.

4. Why sell paid licenses when my scores are free on the site?
On Free-scores.com, we provide full access to your scores at no cost. By choosing Free-scores.com as your distribution platform, you favor sharing and introducing your creation to the broader audience. However, when a public performance of your work is planned, it's reasonable for artists to seek your permission, which can be either paid or granted freely. Many approach you for such authorization, but likely many hesitate due to various reasons: fear of refusal, potential cost concerns, lack of time, initiative, or clear information. The free accessibility of the score can mislead some into thinking all usages are free. The Free-scores.com license provides clarity, indicating to musicians the need for their initiative if they wish to perform your work publicly. Opting for this license is akin to purchasing a commercial score post-factum. Typically, buying a commercial score implies the composer's implicit approval, and the same applies to the Free-scores.com license. The differences lie in the limited duration of the license (renewable annually) and the fact that your score is offered for free.

5. Are all scores eligible for these licenses?
No. You must possess all rights to the score. We don't permit works resembling a "fraudulent copy" from the public domain. Your arrangement must bring significant added value.

I'm a member of a author's society. Is that an issue?
No. The license is compatible with your membership. It caters to musicians, whereas entities like SACEM deal with concert organizers.

7. What rates should I set?
We advise aligning your rates with those commonly seen in the digital sheet music market. For instance, solo piano scores typically range between 2 and 4.99 euros. Adjust the rate based on the intricacy of the work: a score for an orchestra will naturally cost more than a basic piano melody. Also, it's wise not to set the rate too low. Indeed, PayPal charges fixed fees per transaction (0.25 euros) and variable fees (3.4%). On top of that, a 30% commission is taken by Free-scores.com. Thus, for a 2-euro license, you'd effectively get 1.08 euros, for a 3-euro license it'd be 1.75 euros, for a 5-euro license it'd be 3.08 euros, and for a 10-euro license, it'd be 6.41 euros, and so on.

8. Explanation of license management and "Default Rates" ?
On the page https://www.free-scores.com/espace-membres-uk/parametres_licences.php there are 3 parts :
• the check box "Licences scores activation" : If you uncheck this option will disable all license sales on free-scores.com for your scores.
• the form "Default Rates" :
- If your prices are always the same for each scores, complete this form once for each and every time you add a scores, set your prices with a single click, having previously fulfilled your Default Rate.
- Also you can make price changes on a set of scores using the listing of your scores which is present below this form. Note that changing the default rates do not change the price of scores. you'll always need to click on "apply the default rates" to apply the default rates on scores selected.
An example: you are a composer with fifty pieces on free-scores.com, half are piano solo scores and the other half are orchestral scores. You probably want to assign different rates depending on whether the scores is for piano or orchestra. Begin to define a default price with the "default rates" form for solo piano, then check the cases of all piano solo in the listing and click at the very bottom of the list the link called "Apply default rates." Then repeat the same process with the orchestral pieces, having previously changed the default rates.
•"Scores list": This is the listing of your scores, check boxes on the right column of the table allow you to group your scores for applying default rates.

9. Paid and Unpaid Events?
Paid events: Include concerts and live shows where musicians performing your score are compensated by the organizer. Unpaid events: Cover charitable and volunteer events where musicians are not paid. You can choose to offer discounted or even free licenses for these occasions or maintain a consistent rate. Typically, rates for paid events are higher.

10. Why fill in multiple pricing fields?
The base rate is marked "unpaid event" for "1 musician". Activating the "automatic calculation" option automatically adjusts other rates based on this initial amount. However, you can adjust each rate manually if needed.

11. Meaning of the number of musicians under "formations"
This figure represents different musical ensembles. For instance, a license for 2 to 5 musicians would be suitable for pieces ranging from a duo to a quintet.

12. Payment:
You need to have a PayPal account. After each sale, a payment will be made instantly to this account. You will receive 70% of the amount, after deducting PayPal transaction fees. Free-scores.com collects 30% from each sale.

13. How can the buyer verify the authenticity of their license?
After each purchase, the buyer receives an authorization certificate. The authenticity of this certificate is ensured by several embedded QR codes. These codes, referencing our databases directly, offer the possibility to confirm the certificate's authenticity and validity from any internet-connected location.

14. After setting rates for each score, what are the next steps?
It's crucial to activate the Free-scores.com cover page. If a license is in place, this page will display information about the license, ensuring the musician is informed. If your scores were already online, an update to the cover page is needed. Use our conversion service for this.