Music rights: OP/ED themes, soundtracks, sync

Anime music, including opening (OP) and ending (ED) themes and background scores, is often owned separately from the anime itself. Licensing a show does not automatically let you use its songs elsewhere. Music usually involves different owners and a separate approval.

There are generally two layers of rights in a recorded song:

Master rights — The specific recording, usually owned by a record label.
Composition (publishing) rights — The melody and lyrics, managed by a music publisher and often administered through a collecting society. In Japan, the best-known is JASRAC.

Popular OP and ED themes are frequently performed by established artists signed to record labels, which may or may not be committee members. That means a streaming license may cover the music as it plays inside the episode, while using the same song in a trailer, a store, or a product requires its own agreement.

Sync rights (short for synchronization) are permissions to pair music with visual media, such as an ad or promotional video. You will usually need both master and composition clearance. Soundtrack releases, concerts, and karaoke uses each have their own rules. Because music clearance can get complicated quickly, consider asking a music licensing specialist or attorney.