Music has the power to enhance the quality of any YouTube video. However, using copyrighted music without proper authorization can result in copyright lawsuits and the removal of your content. Avoiding copyright claims on YouTube requires more than just giving credit to the artist. In this article, we will discuss the process of legally utilizing music to prevent copyright issues.
Understanding Music Copyright Infringement
Music copyright infringement occurs when someone uses copyrighted music without permission from the owner. Copyright law grants the creator of an original work the sole authority to manage its use and distribution. This means that only the copyright owners can reproduce, distribute, or publicly perform the work. Engaging in copyright infringement includes using copyrighted content without the owner’s consent or a license. This can involve reproducing, distributing, performing, or displaying a song or sound recording without legal permission.
Violating a copyright owner’s exclusive rights can lead to legal implications, such as receiving a copyright claim or takedown notice, facing a court case for damages, and having the offending content removed from the platform. To avoid such complications, it is crucial for YouTubers to understand copyright law and seek the necessary permissions or licenses to use copyrighted music.
Why YouTube Copyrights Music
The majority of music is copyrighted to protect the rights of artists and other creatives involved in the music-making process. YouTube copyrights music to ensure that copyright holders are fairly compensated for the use of their music and to prevent infringement. YouTube upholds copyright law through its Content ID system. When you upload a video, Content ID checks for any copyrighted music that may be used without authorization.
By copyrighting music, YouTube protects the rights of copyright owners and ensures the legal and responsible use of its platform.
YouTube’s Copyright Policies
To understand YouTube’s copyright policies, let’s delve deeper into how the platform upholds copyright law. YouTube’s Content ID technology identifies any music or audio used without legal permission in uploaded videos and notifies the copyright holder.
Upon receiving a notification, copyright owners have several options. They can choose to monetize the video, mute the music, or block the video entirely. If they monetize the video, the ad revenue goes to the copyright holders rather than the YouTuber who uploaded the video.
However, Content ID cannot determine whether you have legal permission to use copyrighted music in your video. A copyright claim notification simply alerts you that you are using copyrighted material; it does not automatically result in repercussions. If you have obtained permission from the copyright holders, you can dispute the Content ID claim, and the copyright owner can release the claim, allowing your content to be viewed as usual.
If you do not have legal approval from the copyright holders and they choose to take action against your video, YouTube may issue a copyright strike. For a first violation, you may face consequences such as not being able to monetize your videos for 90 days and being required to familiarize yourself with copyright and YouTube’s copyright enforcement.
Receiving three copyright strikes can lead to severe repercussions, including account termination, deletion of uploaded videos, and prevention from creating new channels. Even if you remove the infringing video, your account may still be subject to the copyright strike. To remove copyright strikes, you can wait for the 90-day validity term, request that the copyright holder withdraw the claim, or submit a counter notification to refute the claim.
How to Avoid Copyright Claims on YouTube
To avoid copyright claims on YouTube and continue providing quality content to your audience, it is crucial to abide by the following rules:
- Use music that you have the rights to, such as original music or music in the public domain.
- Obtain the necessary permits from artists or record labels to use copyrighted music.
- Observe the rules of the YouTube community.
Using music that you have the rights to is the safest strategy to prevent copyright claims on YouTube. This can include music for which you have obtained licenses, music in the public domain, or music that you have created yourself.
How to Use Copyrighted Music on YouTube Legally
If you want to use copyrighted music, you must acquire the required licenses and permissions. Here are some legal methods for using copyrighted music on YouTube:
- Get a license or permit from the copyright owner by directly contacting them.
- Utilize Creative Commons music, which allows authors to share their work while protecting their intellectual property. Make sure to comply with the rules and restrictions of the Creative Commons license.
- Use public domain music, which is not covered by copyright and can be used without restrictions or a license. Public domain music is music for which all copyright protection has expired.
Track Club: Simplifying Music Licensing for YouTubers
Track Club, a music licensing subscription service, offers a carefully curated catalog of unique, high-quality music for brands and creators. With Track Club’s app, you gain access to 100% customizable songs, many of which are produced in-house and undergo multiple revisions to ensure the highest quality.
By subscribing to Track Club, YouTubers can access quality music at an affordable price, starting at just $12 per month. Whether you’re a beginner or an established creator, Track Club simplifies the music licensing process and ensures compliance with YouTube’s copyright policies, allowing you to focus on creating exceptional videos.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the proper safeguards, copyright claims can still be made against content creators. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Assuming that a license automatically authorizes the use of music on YouTube. Not all licenses permit YouTube use, so carefully review the terms to ensure compatibility with your video’s purpose.
- Crediting the artist in the video description does not grant you permission from the original owner to use the song.
- Attempting to bypass Content ID by altering the speed of a song. Distorting the music not only compromises quality but also risks being detected by Content ID since YouTube continuously updates its system.
- Playing only a short portion of a song. Even a few seconds of copyrighted music can be detected by Content ID. Moreover, using more than just a few seconds of a song enhances the viewing experience for your audience.
Wrap Up
Copyright disputes on YouTube can be a hassle for content creators. By familiarizing yourself with YouTube’s copyright policy and taking the necessary precautions, you can avoid copyright issues on your channel. A subscription to Track Club streamlines the music licensing process and ensures compliance with YouTube’s copyright policies, enabling you to create high-quality videos without worrying about copyright claims.