A focused review of the music rights position for a game in development, approaching release or already available.

Fixed fee: £295–£495

The Health Check examines the available agreements, licences and supporting information for the music used—or intended to be used—in your game. It identifies what is evidenced, what needs clarification and what may require further action.

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[Download the free checklist]

Why carry out a Health Check?

Music rights can become difficult to untangle when a project includes different composers, commercial recordings, library music, cover versions or agreements made at different stages of development.

The relevant permissions also need to reflect how the game will actually be released and promoted. This can include platforms, territories, trailers, downloadable content, soundtrack releases and use by streamers and other online creators.

A Health Check provides a structured view of the current position before an issue becomes more difficult or expensive to address.

What the review covers

Depending on the music used and the documents available, the review can consider:

• Commissioned music and composer agreements.

• Existing or commercially released recordings.

• Library and production music.

• Cover versions, arrangements and adaptations.

• Master recording and publishing rights.

• Licensed platforms, territories and time periods.

• Promotional use, trailers and downloadable content.

• Streaming, user-generated content and potential claims.

• Works and recording registrations.

• Royalty and soundtrack opportunities.

• Gaps, inconsistencies or unclear provisions in the supplied evidence.

The review is based on the documents and information provided. Each material conclusion is linked to the relevant agreement, licence, written confirmation or stated assumption.

What you receive

The completed Health Check includes:

• A concise executive summary.

• A written findings report.

• A Music Rights Status Register.

• An Issues and Actions Schedule.

• A closing call to discuss the findings and practical next steps.

Findings use a straightforward status system:

• Green: the supplied evidence supports the position reviewed.

• Amber: clarification or further action is required.

• Red: a material issue has been identified for attention.

• Grey: the area could not be reviewed because sufficient information was not available.

These ratings are practical risk indicators. They are not legal clearance or certification.

Who it is for

The Health Check may be useful if you are:

• Commissioning music for a game.

• Licensing existing tracks.

• Using a cover version or adaptation.

• Preparing for release on additional platforms.

• Planning trailers, downloadable content or a soundtrack.

• Reviewing streamer-safe music arrangements.

• Taking over a project with existing music agreements.

• Trying to establish whether the project’s music records are complete.

• Approaching a publisher, investor or release milestone.

It can be carried out during development, before release or as a review of a game that is already available.

Fixed-fee scope

Health Checks are quoted at a fixed fee of between £295 and £495, depending on the number of distinct music sources, agreement sets and substantive documents involved.

Multiple cues covered by the same composer agreement may form one music source. Separately licensed recordings or agreements will normally be treated as separate sources.

The scope and fee are confirmed before work begins. Projects involving extensive commercial-track use, active disputes, formal due diligence, urgent work or unusually complex documentation may require a separate quotation.

What the Health Check does not include

The Health Check is a structured music-rights review. It does not include:

• Legal advice or a legal opinion.

• Contract negotiation or amendment.

• Obtaining licences or clearances.

• Contacting composers, publishers, labels or other rights holders.

• Resolving ownership disputes or infringement claims.

• Detailed royalty accounting.

• A guarantee that a game will not receive platform or streaming claims.

Where formal legal interpretation is required, the report will identify the point so that advice can be obtained from an appropriate solicitor.

Separate support with clearance, registrations, administration or other follow-up work can be agreed after the review if required.

How it works

1. Initial enquiry

Send a short outline of the game, its stage of development and the types of music involved. Documents are not required at this stage.

2. Scope and fee

Wasted State Music confirms whether the project is suitable for the Health Check, what will be reviewed and the fixed fee.

3. Information and documents

Once the engagement is agreed, you complete a structured questionnaire and receive access to a restricted folder for the relevant agreements, licences and supporting evidence.

4. Review

The supplied material is reviewed against the intended uses of the music in the game.

5. Findings

You receive the written deliverables and a closing call to discuss the results, priorities and possible next steps.

Discuss a Health Check

If you would like to discuss whether the Health Check is suitable for a current or forthcoming game, send a brief outline using the form below or email music@wastedstate.com.

Related music-rights support

Wasted State Music also provides music clearance, rights administration, registrations, publishing, royalty support and music supervision. Where the Health Check identifies further work, this can be scoped separately.