copyright

Is copyright free music a good choice for small business marketing videos?

MikS Music
These days, many video makers are searching the Web for free music to use in their YouTube videos. In response to the demand, many YouTube channels and Web sites started offering what they call “copyright free music”.

While it may seem that free “no copyright” music is no-brainer, let’s see what “copyright free” really means and if it is indeed such a good choice for small business marketing videos.

Why so many YouTubers are looking for copyright free music?

Mostly, due to the desire to obtain free background music for their videos and not get punished by YouTube for it. Let me explain.

YouTube employs a robust technology, called Content ID, to prevent unauthorized use of copyrighted music in uploaded videos. If you use copyrighted / commercial music in your videos, YouTube will detect it and issue a copyright claim against your video. As a result, your video may display third-party ads, or in some cases get muted or even removed for good. Repeated offenders can get their channels shut down with little chance of appeal.

Trying to avoid their channels compromised by copyright violations, many YouTube video makers are looking to use background music that isn’t tracked by the Content ID system and, thus, won’t trigger the copyright claims.

download unlimited royalty-free production music for videos

Is “copyright free” music really copyright free?

As a matter of fact, “copyright-free” is a misnomer, because regardless of how the music is distributed and licensed, the creator retains his or her copyright on the material until it expires (usually many years after either the author death or the date of publication). Furthermore, many legal systems expressly forbid the authors to surrender the rights automatically.

In today’s YouTube lingo, “copyright free” usually refers to a freely downloadable piece of music that isn’t tracked by YouTube’s Content ID system, either directly or via a technology partner like AdRev.

In theory, that means that any YouTuber can use these music tracks in their videos without getting any copyright claims.

Is it safe to use “copyright free” music in promotional business videos?

free music infographicFor any business related video projects you should treat “copyright free” music as any other free music, that is, with extreme caution. See the infographic in this post or read Is It Safe to Use Free Music in Corporate Marketing Videos?

Here are two simple questions to ask yourself:

a) Am I getting the music from someone who is duly authorized to distribute it?

b) If YouTube flags my video for copyright violation, do I have any proof that I have the right to use it?

Does “copyright free” music really help to prevent YouTube’s copyright claims?

youtube adrev copyright claims noticeIf  you’re looking for sure-fire protection against YouTube copyright claims, just grabbing a free song from a random place claiming it’s “copyright free” won’t be enough.

Ironically, many YouTubers who opted for “copyright free” music  to avoid YouTube copyright issues, end up with copyright claims and third-party ads showing in their videos.

Why? It could be the owner eventually decides to monetize on his free music or it could be someone simply uploading somebody else’s music without any authorization from the rights holder.

There are new “copyright free” music channels appearing on YouTube almost daily. Sadly, many are nothing more than click-bait using creative commons and indie music to monetize on video plays.

In many cases, the channels owners have no relationship with the music creators and cannot provide any support to anyone getting a claim for using that music.

Pick your music licensing sources carefully

UNLIMITED ROYALTY FREE MUSIC FOR VIDEOS & COMMERCIAL USE
Unlimited download. Lifetime license. Save over 50%.

Another risk you need to consider is that many YouTube channels that offer free and “copyright free” music are often short-lived, as they not necessarily represent the musicians whose music they distribute. Thus, if you end up with a copyright claim on your video for using “free” music, you’ll have nobody to contact to retract the claim.

copyright-free
A reliable music source? I don’t think so!

Your best protection against YouTube copyright claims is the formal license that grants you explicit rights to use the given music work on YouTube.

copyright free music issuesWith proper license you can either dispute the claim with YouTube or contact the party who gave you the license to retract the claim.

For instance, all MikS Music music licenses are accompanied by the licensing certificate, invoice, and confirmation email and cover YouTube commercial use.

Learn more: How to Resolve AdRev For The Third Party Copyright Claims on YouTube

Alternatives for small business video marketers

Free is good, no argument here. However, while getting an occasional free tune may be just fine for a casual uploader, you definitely need more reassurance for your commercial and business related videos.

It’s perfectly safe to use copyrighted music on YouTube, as long as you obtain the permission from the copyright owner.

Some of the alternatives are:

  1. Negotiate with an independent (indie) artist.
  2. If you have the budget, negotiate with the publisher if you’re looking to license commercial music.
  3. License production / stock music from a music library / composer. Royalty free music will fall under this option as well. Feel free to listen to my music available for licensing online.

Furthermore, for any corporate business use make sure your understand the licensing terms completely. For instance, if you plan to use the music for marketing your products or services on YouTube, you need to look for music explicitly cleared for commercial YouTube use.

Have a music licensing question?

Simply post your question in the comments.

Looking for music for YouTube marketing videos?

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Positive and confident royalty free background instrumental music with uplifting and motivational feel for corporate videos and marketing projects.

Average rating:

Buy Once, Use Forever

  • To use in personal or small business (up to 5 employees) promotional video, social media, podcast, presentation, free / student film, free app / game, and any media / online content not intended for sale.
  • To use in corporate promotional video, social media, podcast, presentation, tradeshow, point of sale, on hold, event, online / regional TV advertisement incl. political, and all revenue generating media, games and online content up to 1,000 sales.
  • To use in all revenue generating content with unlimited sales, feature film with unlimited distribution, TV/Radio show with nation-wide audience, and commercial TV/Radio advertisement.
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Positive corporate royalty-free music with assertive and grand feel for an uplifting and motivational corporate video or commercial.

Average rating:

Buy Once, Use Forever

  • To use in personal or small business (up to 5 employees) promotional video, social media, podcast, presentation, free / student film, free app / game, and any media / online content not intended for sale.
  • To use in corporate promotional video, social media, podcast, presentation, tradeshow, point of sale, on hold, event, online / regional TV advertisement incl. political, and all revenue generating media, games and online content up to 1,000 sales.
  • To use in all revenue generating content with unlimited sales, feature film with unlimited distribution, TV/Radio show with nation-wide audience, and commercial TV/Radio advertisement.
Free download for members Learn more
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Add to Cart

Positive, motivational, and uplifting royalty free background music for corporate and small business videos with inspirational and confident feel featuring the mix of acoustic and electronic sounds.


Listen to my top 10 most popular royalty free music tracks

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Mik
About the author: Hi, I’m Mik. I make royalty free music for promotional videos, YouTube business vlogs, marketing campaigns, film, and more. All my music is available for licensing online with a simple royalty free commercial license. Buy once, download instantly, use forever!

2 comments

  1. Very useful article. Thank you!

    I did just have one question.

    As a dancer, the use of non-royalty free music for various purposes is pretty much a given.
    However, if I were to say create an online course where I instruct people or demonstrate how to dance, are there any resources that would allow for this type of use of a musical recording?

    It seems royalty-free can be used for commercial use if it is explicitly stated in a promotional campaign, but if the music is being used in a video within a course that is clearly commercial and profitable in nature, do the same rules apply?

  2. H! I’m doing slideshows for my grandkids from birth to one year old, pictures collected from one year old to the second birthday up the third birthdays. The intent is to show how my 5 grandkids progressed and show them on how me and wife cared for them since birth. While showing these pictures, Id like to use my old favorite songs from the past. Without looking to generate income, can I use songs to accompany the transitioning pictures along the way? My only purpose to leave them memories we have collected helping my kids on raising up the grandkids while they are at work. Will you tube allow me to post it if I label the slideshow as “Private”? Appreciate whatever comment you may give me.

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