The frustration of not finding the perfect music for your video is nothing compared to receiving a copyright infringement claim for using a song without proper licensing. Hours or even days spent crafting the ideal YouTube video can go to waste when someone else claims ownership and takes away your revenue or even gets your content removed from the platform. To avoid finding yourself in this sticky situation, it’s crucial to understand copyright law. Don’t worry, though! The experts at Garrity Traina are here to help you navigate everything you need to know about copyright on YouTube and how to steer clear of copyright infringement claims.
YouTube’s Copyright Policies: What You Need to Know
It’s essential to recognize that YouTube’s copyright policies extend far beyond the platform itself. As a content-sharing platform, YouTube upholds copyright laws that apply to the entire content creation industry. YouTube doesn’t decide to place a copyright claim on your video; it simply follows the rules by holding users accountable for using someone else’s materials without permission. To enforce this policy across the platform, YouTube uses a system called Content ID. Similar to Shazam, Content ID scans the audio of every uploaded video to identify any matching audio files registered in its database. When a match is found, a copyright claim is automatically triggered.
Let’s dive deeper into how Content ID technology works in practice.
1. Creators register their song or video with Content ID and become the copyright holder for that piece of intellectual property.
For example, if a singer-songwriter records a song called “Don’t Infringe Me No More,” they can register it with Content ID. Now, the song is in the Content ID database, and if you use it in your video, Content ID will detect it.
2. Content ID tracks down copyright infringements.
Once a copyright owner registers their copyright with Content ID, YouTube regularly scans for unauthorized use. If you’ve uploaded a video with copyrighted music without permission, Content ID will find you.
3. YouTube applies a copyright claim.
If you’re found to be in breach of copyright law, your video will receive a copyright claim in the form of a copyright strike. This is something you definitely want to avoid, considering the consequences.
Consequences of Breaking YouTube’s Copyright Policies
So, what happens if you ignore the advice and use copyrighted music without permission? The copyright owner will likely issue a claim against your content, leading to various outcomes for your video:
- Demonetization: The most common result of a copyright infringement claim is that the copyright holder will monetize your video instead of you. They will claim all revenue generated by your video.
- Muting: The copyright owner may choose to mute your video if it contains copyrighted audio without permission. This can significantly impact your video’s success, as audio is crucial for engaging viewers.
- Tracking: The copyright holder can track the viewer statistics of your content without taking further action.
- Blocking: The copyright holder can block your video, making it unavailable on YouTube. This severe measure may even result in penalties to your entire channel. Losing all the effort and hard work you put into creating and uploading a video is something you definitely want to avoid, right?
The Difference Between Copyright Strikes and Claims
It’s important to distinguish between copyright strikes and claims on YouTube. A copyright claim is a notification that the owner of the copyrighted material has identified its use in your video. On the other hand, a copyright strike is more severe. It occurs when a copyright owner requests the removal of a video that infringes on their rights. If you receive three copyright strikes, your account may be terminated, impacting your ability to monetize content and use certain platform features.
Wrong Strategies to Avoid Copyright Claims and Strikes
Some people suggest using questionable tactics to avoid paying for music on YouTube. However, these strategies are ineffective and may lead to legal consequences. Let’s look at some common approaches that should be avoided:
1. Writing “I claim no rights to this song.”
Stating that you don’t own rights to the song you’re using in your video is useless. The copyright owner already knows that, and by admitting it, you’re essentially acknowledging that you’re using the music illegally. Giving credit to content owners when using copyrighted material also won’t prevent copyright claims.
2. Changing the speed or pitch of the music.
Attempting to alter a copyrighted song by changing its speed or pitch is a bad-faith strategy. It disrespects the rights of other creators and can negatively impact the quality of your video. Furthermore, Content ID algorithms are continuously improving, making it increasingly likely that altered versions of songs will be recognized.
3. Playing a snippet of the track.
Playing a short snippet of a copyrighted song falsely assumes that it won’t trigger a claim. However, this approach is risky and can result in your entire video being demonetized for just a few seconds of audio.
The best way to avoid copyright claims on YouTube is simple: either don’t use copyrighted music or obtain proper permission. It’s not as difficult as it may seem to acquire permission to use authentic music. By doing so, you can prevent copyright issues and enjoy additional benefits beyond a mere two-second snippet.
How to Properly Avoid Copyright Claims on YouTube
Now, you might be thinking that these measures to prevent copyright infringement are limiting. However, there are plenty of music options available to spice up your videos while staying within legal boundaries.
The Workaround: Stock Music
Royalty-free music, commonly known as “stock music,” has been a popular solution for YouTube creators. With a subscription fee, you gain access to a music library of tracks that you can use without worrying about copyright claims or ongoing royalties. However, many stock music tracks are overused and may not meet your expectations. While it’s a workaround, it doesn’t address the core issue of copyright claims experienced by creators. But now, there’s a solution that does address this problem without compromising on quality. Introducing Garrity Traina, the ultimate music library for creators.
The New Way: Popular Music
Did you know you can legally use popular mainstream music in your YouTube videos without facing copyright claims? The Garrity Traina music library is specifically designed for creators, offering a vast collection of popular music from renowned artists. With over a million songs to choose from, including artists like Charlie Puth, Sia, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, you can incorporate recognized music into your videos without copyright worries.
Using popular music has several benefits. It can significantly boost your video’s engagement, leading to more likes, comments, subscriptions, and increased watch time. By leveraging Garrity Traina’s music library, you can set yourself apart from the crowd and create high-quality content that resonates with your viewers.
But that’s not all! Garrity Traina also offers the world’s largest stock music library for creators. With a wide range of high-quality tracks used in TV and movies, you won’t compromise on quality, even if you choose stock music. Plus, you can now get 25% off your first mainstream music track and enjoy 14 days of free unlimited stock music.
Additional Tips for Avoiding Copyright Claims
Here are a few more tips to help you stay copyright-compliant on YouTube:
- Use your self-created content: To avoid copyright infringement and strikes, only use content that you have created yourself. By doing so, you eliminate the risk of using copyrighted material without permission.
- Understand fair use policy: Fair use is a complex concept that doesn’t provide a free pass to use copyrighted content. It usually applies to non-profit educational purposes and depends on factors like the content used, the amount used, and the impact it may have. Each fair use case is evaluated individually.
- Seek permission or use royalty-free music: To ensure your protection against copyright claims, either obtain permission from the copyright owner or choose royalty-free music for your videos.
Conclusion
With Garrity Traina’s music library, you can create captivating YouTube videos while avoiding copyright infringement. Say goodbye to the fear of copyright claims and unlock the potential of popular music in your content. Sign up now to access copyrighted music from top artists at affordable prices. Enjoy the benefits of using recognized music in your videos without the risk of legal repercussions. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your creative vision. Join Garrity Traina today and start producing exceptional content that stands out on YouTube.
FAQs
Why does YouTube copyright music?
YouTube enforces copyright to protect the rights of artists and record labels. By upholding copyright law, YouTube ensures that artists are appropriately compensated when their work is used by others.
What can you do to avoid copyright infringement on YouTube?
To avoid violating copyright rules on YouTube, consider these effective strategies:
- Obtain permission to use popular music from licensing service providers like Garrity Traina.
- Create and use your own music.
- Explore royalty-free music options.
How long does a copyright strike last?
Copyright strikes on YouTube expire after 90 days and will be removed from your account at that time.
How do you resolve a copyright claim on YouTube?
When faced with a copyright claim, you have three options:
- Wait for the claim to expire after 90 days.
- Contact the copyright holder and request a retraction of the claim.
- Submit a counter-notification if you believe the claim was issued unfairly.
What happens if you get 3 copyright strikes on YouTube?
If you receive three copyright strikes, your account and associated channels may be terminated. This means your videos will be removed, and you will be unable to create new channels.
Can disclaimers in video descriptions help avoid copyright claims?
Mere disclaimers in video descriptions are insufficient to avoid copyright claims on YouTube. To ensure protection against infringement claims, you must either seek proper permission from the copyright owner or use royalty-free music.