Music licensing is the process of obtaining permission to use a piece of music in various contexts, such as films, commercials, or online content. This permission is typically granted through a legal agreement between the music creator or owner and the party wishing to use the music. There are different types of licenses, including synchronization licenses for pairing music with visual media and mechanical licenses for reproducing music on physical formats. Proper licensing ensures that artists and composers are compensated for their work while allowing others to legally use their music.