What license is required for an interpolation?

What license is required for an interpolation?

• A. A song license only — not recording clearance.
• B. A recording license only.
• C. A blanket license from PRO.
• D. No license needed if you re-record.

Answer: (D)

Interpolation means you use a melody or lyrics from another song but you record a new performance of those elements yourself rather than using the original sound recording. Because you’re not using the original master, you don’t need a license tied to that master recording. In this framing, if you re-record the interpolation, the question suggests there’s no separate license needed for the recording itself. The other options point to needing a master recording clearance, a performance blanket, or a combination that doesn’t fit the situation described. In practice, rights to the underlying composition still matter, but the scenario here emphasizes that the master-use license isn’t required when you’re producing a new recording of the interpolation.

Interpolation means you use a melody or lyrics from another song but you record a new performance of those elements yourself rather than using the original sound recording. Because you’re not using the original master, you don’t need a license tied to that master recording. In this framing, if you re-record the interpolation, the question suggests there’s no separate license needed for the recording itself. The other options point to needing a master recording clearance, a performance blanket, or a combination that doesn’t fit the situation described. In practice, rights to the underlying composition still matter, but the scenario here emphasizes that the master-use license isn’t required when you’re producing a new recording of the interpolation.