Copyright laws are some of the most challenging regulations on the internet. Most importantly, there is a widespread infringement of these laws on YouTube. A lot of people are not aware of them and are likely to find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

These violations occur frequently, actually, they are more than the comments we get on YouTube on a regular basis. A lot of people are ignorant of copyright laws and often, one will commit the crime without their knowledge. However, we are here to help you access and enjoy royalty free music.

Below are some of the things you need to know before you use copyrighted music on YouTube.

Get permission before using someone else’s music in your video

This is a fundamental rule, yet many people widely ignore it. Here’s why you require permission; the owner of the music is the copyright holder of that content. Should you use the music without their consent, it might result in legal action. Thus, it is mandatory for you to have the consent. That way, you are protected from all forms of lawsuits, and you can enjoy your music both now and in the future.

How to get permission 

There are two main ways in which you can get the permissions needed to use someone’s music. One, you can contact the music owner directly. This can be done through email or writing to them a letter. The musician needs to respond to you in writing which can be handwritten or through an email. This is crucial evidence in case of a lawsuit. In their response, the musician must state that he or she is allowing you to use the music.

The second way is by paying a licensing fee. There are my sites that offer copyrighted music for a fee which can range from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The choice is all yours!

A claimant can remove your video on YouTube 

YouTube will pull down a video if they have received a complaint from the copyright holders. You need to know that the work of proving that you had the right to use the music lies within you, and not YouTube. However, all is not lost. You may contact the copyright holder for your music to be reinstated. If you win, then the copyright holder will communicate the message to YouTube and your music will be restored.

Sometimes the music you have been authorized to use can be blocked or removed

This is a widespread experience especially when the content owner has a newly registered ContentID. In some instances, the musician might have signed a deal with a label. As such, his or her music catalogue becomes copyrighted by the label. This is where your written document is vital.  With evidence of a written document, you can easily prove that the artist had authorized you. If the rights are not reinstated, then you can opt to file a suit.

You need to acquire a license for the music if you want to make your video available on YouTube

Many people tend to ignore this part. YouTube operates just like TV, radio, or movies. Since you are creating content and sharing it with the public, a license is a must-have document.

Your music can work with live streaming

YouTube takes pride in having a highly advanced inbuilt ContentID system. The system is capable of running during a live broadcast. Moreover, it has the potential to listen to copyright music. If it detects any violations in the process of running this live streaming, the broadcast is at risk of being terminated with immediate effect.  Afterward, you will receive a copyright strike. This can lead to legal battles since you have infringed into copyright laws.

Know the difference between the various music libraries

Music libraries differ in many aspects. Some of them include:

• Price: There are libraries that can cost thousands of dollars for a few tracks, while others are incredibly cheap. It all depends on your budget.
• License agreement: Also, this will vary greatly. There are some agreements that will allow you to use the song once, while others do not restrict the number of times you will use the music.
• Size of the catalogue: Perhaps this is one of the most striking differences. Some libraries have thousands of songs, while others have a few hundred.
• User friendliness: Music libraries are unique in how they function. However, if you are a creator, it is good to settle for a user-friendly library.
• Customer service: Would you rather be in a place you are given the best customer care or where you are getting subpar treatment as a client?

If you use the music in your videos without permission, the music owner can claim royalties 

This one reason you need to have written permission from the owner of the music. If you fail to do so, the owner has the right to take part or all the money that your video makes. In addition to claiming royalties, the owner can also block the music used in your video on YouTube. It is advisable that one should get the proper licensing to avoid all these challenges.

Understand the meaning of the word fair

It might seem to be a simple statement. However, it is one of the trickiest terms in the music industry — this a legal concept that allows you to use copyrighted music under specific terms and conditions. Stick to the purpose of the music. Never use this music for other purposes except those clearly outlined under the agreement. 

The above simple rules are essential when it comes to using copyrighted music on YouTube. You need to understand that the music industry is governed by a legal framework. Specifically, it’s important to pay keen interest on the issue of permission. This is where most people go wrong when using copyrighted music on YouTube. With the right authorization, you will not have to fight a lot of legal battles with the owners of the content.