Music plays a crucial role in the success of various types of online content, including videos. Whether you create and upload videos on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, you must have encountered background music in most of them. It often enriches the viewing experience and helps set the message’s tone. However, using ordinary popular music can lead to copyright infringement issues, legal liability, demonetization—or even removal of the video. To avoid such a development, you should choose properly licensed music or opt for no music at all.
What is copyright?
It’s a proper shield earned by creators, according to which they are the sole owners and responsible for matters related to their music. Therefore, if music is copyrighted, it states that the artist, composer, or person who produced that share owns legal permission to use it. Thus, using their work may lead to law twenty vision as the penalty, fines, strikes against your account, and even deleting uploaded content. Essentially, using any form of music requires copyright law usage, except when it is marked ”free” or belongs to the”public.”
Why Is Copyright Music a Problem for Content Creators?
Many content creators believe that if they use just a few short clips or change the music in some way, they will fly under the radar in terms of copyright law. However, this is not the case. You can still face copyright issues even if you use a few seconds of a song or change it slightly. Automated systems like Content ID on platforms such as YouTube can pick up on copyrighted music VERY quickly and slap you with claims or strikes on your account.
One strike can seriously inhibit your ability to use a channel or platform. For instance, on YouTube, three strikes and you’re out. Even if the copyright creator decides not to act as harshly as the first couple of times, they will likely claim your video, meaning they will be making revenue off the video in ads that would have otherwise gone to you.
How to Use Music in Videos
There are several ways to use music in a video without violating copyright. Here is one of the easiest ones.
1. License the music
The terms of licensing differ drastically, so it is possible to find the most suitable option depending on the intended frequency of use. For some hits, you may be required to pay just some per cent of the revenue generated by the video. It will be added to the total price, and a free license limit for this track will be reached. If the path has already been used, you can buy additional ones; they’re cheap, but usually one is enough for a lifetime. If the song is specifically written for a promotional video, the custom track will be available for free.
2. Public Domain Music
This type of music is not secured by copyright, and one can use it without prior permission. Since it is very old, there is no need to pay, i.e., if it is very old music, there cannot be any copyright. However, not any version of this music can be used. I mean, when some modern singers make a recording of the same old, outdated song, they retain the copyright to their records.
3. Creative Commons Licenses
Some creators share music using a Creative Commons license, meaning others can use it with some conditions. Always check what the specific conditions of the music are, as some will ask that you give the creator credit and not use their music for commercial purposes.
4. Purchase a Music License
Perhaps you have a song in your mind, and you understand that it is copyrighted. If you still want to add the song to your production, you can contact the rights holder and purchase a license. The price of a license depends on the song and the goal of your video. If you create content for commercial use, buying a license might be your best bet.
Understanding Content ID on YouTube
YouTube’s Content ID system is designed to find copyrighted music and other media in videos. If it discovers that the video includes copyrighted media, it notifies the copyright owner, who then can choose to monetize, block, or track it. Although many copyright owners have taken advantage of the system to protect their works, it is a source of dispute for many users, especially those who unintentionally use copyrighted music.
If you receive a Content ID claim, you have a few options:
- Remove or replace the music: YouTube has an option that allows you to exchange the track. Using the service YouTube Audio Library, you can find unlicensed and 100% copyright-free songs to use on your video.
- Dispute the claim: if you consider that the music is used on an occasion of fair use or you have a license to use it, you have the right to dispute the claim. For this, you will need to provide information on your rights to use the song, and the claim will be reviewed.
- You can accept the claim and leave the video as it is; the copyright holder will be able to monetize your video by placing ads on it.
Tubepilot Copyright Music Checker
The Tubepilot Copyright Music Checker is a 100% free tool designed to help content creators quickly check the copyright status of any music used in YouTube videos. This is incredibly easy to do; all you have to do is use the link of any YouTube video that you believe to be using a copyrighted music track, and with a click of a button, you can see whether or not that is the case. This is an excellent tool for those who are looking to upload videos and need to check that the music being used is not copyrighted. Given the ease of using TubePilot, you will be able to very quickly check and ensure that your video is not breaking any rules on YouTube, whether that be claims, strikes, or loss of revenue.
What is fair use?
Fair use is a legal doctrine that provides an exception to the exclusive right of the copyright holder to reproduce, distribute, and perform the copyrighted work, permitting limited use of the material without permission. The use of copyrighted material is usually restricted concerning use for criticism, commentary, news reporting, or education. In general, fair use is a cloudy matter and will not necessarily protect you from copyright liability. Instead, courts typically consider several factors to decide whether the use is fair: the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of the portion used about the work as a whole, and its effects on market value.
How to Use Music in Videos
To ensure your content remains copyright-safe, follow these best practices:
- Always verify the license. Always check the license, whether it is royalty-free, Creative Commons, or bought.
- Give credit where due: If the license requires attributions, make sure you give credit to the artist.
- Give YouTube’s Audio Library a Try: High-quality free content is guaranteed when you use YouTube’s Audio Library.
- Avoid popular music: Popular songs are protected by copyright, so try not to include them in your video content even if the idea seems appealing.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is not very difficult to make a video presentation with background music added to it. At the same time, copyrighted music is surrounded by many pitfalls, which can cause you to get strikes, claims, or other consequences. However, the knowledge of law and music registration will save you from these issues. Also, remember to be extremely responsive in your attempts to secure the right to the music you use. In such a case, your content will be safe and monetizable.