How to Avoid Music Copyright Infringement on Social Media

Music copyright rules on YouTube: Creators think they’re a hassle, musicians believe they’re a necessity, and viewers don’t give them much thought at all. Opinions differ but the law is clear – and it sides squarely with protecting the copyrights of musicians and their work. 

Whether you love it or hate it, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is at the root of many digital copyright laws, including those protecting music. The Act was passed in 1998 and, today, YouTube is required to uphold it by preventing the “unauthorized duplication or distribution of digital copyrighted works.” Translation: YouTubers can’t use a song without permission from the songwriter. 

Here, we’ll explain music copyright infringement, how YouTube finds the rule-breakers, and what happens when they’re caught. YouTube’s system is an industry leader so, yes, the odds are high that rule-breakers will be caught. However, there is an easy solution for legally sourcing songs while still supporting fellow creators – and that’s a win for everyone.

What is Music Copyright Infringement?

There are some common myths about music copyright rules on YouTube, so let’s start by separating fact from fiction. 

Some YouTubers believe they’re allowed to use a song if it’s only a few seconds long. Nope. Others think it’s okay to use someone else’s music as long as they give credit to the composer. Not true. Many assume they can use a song if their video isn’t monetized. Wrong again.

YouTube has an exception if the copyrighted work falls under its fair use policy. But for most YouTubers, and for most of the time, copyright can be summed up as follows: You can only use someone else’s song if you have their permission. Failing to do so means YouTube will flag your video for copyright infringement and potentially slap penalties on it.

Understanding YouTube’s Content ID System

YouTube uses an automated – and sophisticated – Content ID system that allows copyright owners to register their music. Current chart-toppers, throwback jams, and instrumental music are all eligible for protection. When a video is uploaded, the Content ID database scans the audio for unauthorized use of music that has been copyrighted in their system. 

Think you can fool YouTube’s system by changing the audio speed or remixing the song? Unlikely. The system is advanced enough to root out tricks just like that. Google, which is YouTube’s parent company, has thrown big bucks into their Content ID system (over $100 million, according to their own report on fighting piracy). 

Penalties for Breaking Music Copyright Rules on YouTube

When a songwriter receives a notice that a video is using their music without permission, they – not YouTube – decide how to proceed. Their options are:

  • Placing ads in the video, which means the songwriter will receive the ad revenue instead of the video creator. This is a big penalty for YouTubers who rely on earning income from their work.
  • Blocking the video, which means the video will be unavailable for anyone to watch. 
  • Restricting the video from certain platforms, which means the video will still play on YouTube but not on other apps or websites.

Copyright claims don’t affect the status of your channel (if you’ve been led to believe otherwise, you might be thinking of copyright strikes, which are an entirely separate topic). If you choose, you can ignore the claim. But for many creators, losing ad revenue or having their video blocked isn’t something they can afford. 

Royalty-Free Music: A Solution for YouTube Creators

So what’s the best option for a YouTuber to source music? Royalty-free music. Its name can be confusing, so let’s clear that up. 

Royalty-free music isn’t free, but it is mostly quite affordable. Generally speaking, royalty-free music allows you to pay a one-time fee to use a track in your YouTube video. No extra fees if the video goes viral and no expiration date on your copyright license. 

Of course, every artist needs to protect their work. Some artists on royalty-free sites register their music on YouTube’s Content ID system. For composers, this ensures their work is properly paid for and used. 

For you, this means your video might briefly be flagged with a copyright claim, but it’s easy-peasy to fix (just a couple of clicks on YouTube’s online form to verify where you purchased the license to use the tune). Remember: claims don’t affect your channel, so no worries there. While the video is flagged, it can still be earning ad revenue for you and the money will be released when the copyright claim is cleared. 

The Easiest Way to Avoid Content ID Claims

Whether you’re a corporation or a creator, respecting the music copyright rules on YouTube will protect your videos by ensuring they aren’t slapped with penalties. Plus, it’s just a decent thing to do. 

At TuneReel, we respect the work of all creators. We believe composers deserve to be compensated, and we believe that creators deserve access to high-quality songs for their projects. 

Our catalog of royalty-free music lets you search by genre or mood to find tunes that will match the vibe you’re looking for. Looking for a personal recommendation? Contact us directly or tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

 

Looking for inspiration on music’s role in creative projects? Our passion for the topic is real. Check out our blog posts:

 

The contents of this article should not be construed as, and should not be relied upon for legal advice.