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If you plan to use samples in your musical compositions, you may need to get permission to avoid legal trouble. Unfortunately, getting permission is not always easy. Here are some ways an independent artist can obtain sample clearance. You don't always need permission to use samples. To determine if you need permission, see When You Need Permission to Sample Others' Music. Find the Copyright Owners The process of getting permission from the owners of the sampled music is referred to as "sample clearance." When you sample music from a pop recording, you need two clearances: one from the copyright owner of the song -- usually a music publisher, and one from the copyright owner of the master tapes -- usually a record company. The first step in obtaining permission is to locate the copyright owner(s) of both the song and the master recording. Start with the publisher, as that is usually the easiest one to find. How to Find the Music Publisher The best way t