Music and copyright
Using a commercial song in your video "because it's only for YouTube" can end with the video muted, demonetized or taken down. Understanding the basics of licenses and detection systems saves you a lot of trouble.
This lesson is general guidance, not legal advice. Laws vary from country to country (the US and the UK, for example, handle fair use and fair dealing differently), and every platform has its own rules. For a specific case or a significant commercial use, consult a professional.
Why you can't use just any song
A song carries rights to the composition (lyrics and music, belonging to the songwriters and publishers) and to the recording (belonging to the record label or the artist). To sync it with pictures you need permission from both. Buying the song or paying for a music streaming subscription doesn't give you that permission: it only lets you listen to it.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| "If I use less than X seconds, it's fine" | There's no number of seconds that makes it legal |
| "If I credit the artist, it's OK" | Crediting the artist isn't the same as having permission |
| "I'm not making money from the video, so I can" | Non-commercial use doesn't exempt you from needing a license |
| "I bought it from a digital store" | That purchase is for listening, not for syncing |
Types of license you'll come across
| Type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Royalty-free | You pay once (or through a subscription) and can use it according to the terms, without paying per play. It doesn't mean free |
| Creative Commons BY | Free with attribution to the creator in the way they request |
| CC BY-NC | Free with attribution, but not for commercial use |
| CC BY-ND / SA | No derivative works / share alike under the same license. Read the terms |
| CC0 / public domain | Free to use. Careful: a classical piece may be in the public domain, but a specific recording of it may not be |
| Platform license | Audio libraries from YouTube, Instagram or TikTok: valid within that platform and under its terms |
Where to get music for your videos
- YouTube Audio Library: free, and it tells you whether attribution is required.
- The social networks' own libraries: for use inside the app.
- Subscription stock libraries: large catalogs licensed for your channels; check which uses each plan covers.
- Creative Commons music from dedicated archives and communities, checking the license of each track.
- Commissioning music from a composer, or using your own.
Download and save the certificate or license page for every track you use, in your project's 06_DOCUMENTOS folder. If a claim comes in, that's your proof.
How identification systems work
The big platforms automatically compare the audio and video of every upload against a database of works registered by their rights holders. On YouTube this system is called Content ID. If there's a match, the rights holder can, depending on their settings:
- Monetize your video (the revenue goes to them).
- Block it in some countries or worldwide.
- Simply track its statistics.
A Content ID claim is not the same as a copyright strike, which is a formal takedown request and has more serious consequences for your channel.
If you get a claim
- Read what's being claimed and in which section.
- If you have a license, dispute the claim and provide it.
- If you don't, many platforms let you trim the section or replace the music from their editor.
- Don't dispute valid claims: doing it repeatedly can lead to more serious strikes.
Images, footage and fonts too
The same applies to photos, stock footage, fonts and logos. Use libraries with clear licenses, your own material or verified public domain resources, and keep the licenses.
- Buying or streaming a song doesn't give you the right to use it in a video.
- Royalty-free doesn't mean free; Creative Commons comes with conditions.
- Always keep the license.
- Content ID makes claims; a formal strike is more serious.
Your turn: your safe library
Create a folder with ten music tracks you can use with peace of mind.
- Search the YouTube Audio Library or a stock library with a clear license.
- Save the license or a screenshot of the terms for each one.
- Note in a document whether they require attribution and how.