Navigating the complexities of using music for your YouTube/instagram/facebook videos can be challenging, especially when it comes to ensuring that you do not infringe on copyright laws. The internet is a treasure trove of high-quality music that, while tempting, often comes with copyright restrictions that require careful consideration and compliance. So today, I will talk about everything about how to check if a song is copyrighted.
Part 1. What Defines a Copyrighted Song?
It’s essential to clarify a common misconception at the outset: there are no “non-copyrighted” songs. Every song created is automatically protected under copyright law from the moment of its creation. This protection isn’t limited to the artist; it extends to composers, performers, producers, and even record labels.
Thus, any music you wish to use, whether in YouTube videos or other public domains, is subject to these copyright protections. Understanding these rights and the associated legal obligations is crucial for anyone looking to use third-party music in their projects.
Part 2. 6 Effective Strategies to Learn How to Check if a Song is Copyrighted
Determining the copyright status of a song is crucial for anyone looking to use music in their YouTube videos or other public-facing projects. Here’s a detailed approach to ensure you comply with copyright laws:
Public Domain Checks: Utilize resources like PD Info, which provides an extensive database of music that has entered the public domain and is free to use without restrictions. It’s important to note that while such resources are helpful, they may not cover all music, especially newer releases.
Creative Commons Licenses: Check the Creative Commons website to see if an artist has released their music under a Creative Commons license. These licenses can allow you to use the music freely, sometimes even without attribution, depending on the terms specified.
Direct Research: Perform searches via Google, Wikipedia, or the artist’s official channels to uncover ownership details and current copyright status. This method can provide direct links to licensing information and official music distribution platforms.
Music Recognition Services: Use tools like Shazam or SoundHound to identify songs and their copyright status. These apps can provide detailed information about a song, including the artist, album, and label, which can be useful for tracking down licensing information.
Professional Music Clearing Services: These services specialize in obtaining permissions and licenses for music usage. They handle negotiations and can secure the rights to use music in your projects, ensuring compliance with copyright laws.
Consulting a Copyright Lawyer: If you’re working on a project with significant exposure or commercial potential, consulting with a lawyer specializing in intellectual property can provide peace of mind and protect your investments. Lawyers can offer tailored advice and help navigate complex copyright issues.
Part 3. 3 Popular Tools to Tell If a Song is Copyrighted
1. YouTube’s Built-In Detection Tool
When you upload a video, YouTube built-in detection tool automatically scans your content against its database of registered copyrighted music to identify potential copyright issues. This feature provides immediate feedback on whether your content may face restrictions or require additional licensing. Here’s how to check if your song is copyrighted.
Step 1: Before testing the music for copyright, you need to make a video. YouTube requires a real video file, so converting audio files won’t work. Any footage will suffice, even a basic loop.
Read more: How to Make a YouTube Video with Pictures and Music in 3 Easy Steps >>
Step 2: Upload your video to YouTube just like you would with any other video. Navigate to the “Checks” tab in the creative studio, as this will be useful once the processing is complete.
Step 3: After YouTube finishes processing your video, go to the “Checks” tab to view the results. If the music is free of claims, you’ll see a notification indicating so. However, if the music is registered with Content ID, triggering copyright claims, you’ll see a red exclamation mark. Click on “SEE DETAILS” to understand how your video will be affected.
2. Easy Song Online Tool
Easy Song is a comprehensive platform designed to assist users in navigating the complexities of music copyright. It offers various search options, including popular music, industry work ID, composer, and arranger, allowing users to find detailed information about song copyrights. Additionally, Easy Song provides expert services for copyright research and facilitates custom licensing, catering to artists, musicians, content creators, and individuals seeking the seal of authenticity for their work. In addition to aiding in music copyright research, Easy Song also supports users in music publishing and copyright management.
3. ASCAP ACE Repertory
ASCAP ACE Repertory, provided by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), offers access to an extensive database of copyrighted music. Users can search by title, music snippets, and artists to obtain licensing information and identify copyright holders. This resource serves as a valuable tool for individuals and organizations seeking to understand and navigate the world of music copyrights.
Part 3. How to Check If a Song is Copyrighted on YouTube/Instagram/Facebook/Twitch
On YouTube
If you’re unsure about using copyrighted music on YouTube, here are some steps to help you find out:
Check the video description:
Many YouTube musicians include copyright details for their songs in the video description box. If you’re interested in using a particular song and want to know its copyright status, check the description box for relevant information.
Verify if it’s in the public domain:
PDINFO is a website that allows users to determine if a song on YouTube is in the public domain. If the music piece you’re interested in is in the public domain, you’ll have the freedom to use it without copyright restrictions.
Upload your video as unlisted or private:
By uploading your video and setting it to unlisted or private, the YouTube algorithm will assess whether any parts of your content infringe on copyright terms.
Note: Sometimes, creators may not have established a copyright license for their music, so your video might not currently violate any copyright terms. However, if the creator decides to license their music in the future, you may receive a copyright claim.
On Instagram and Facebook
Instagram and Facebook utilize automated systems to detect copyrighted music in the background of your videos. However, you can’t confirm whether a song is copyrighted on these platforms until after you’ve posted your video. If there’s a copyright issue, a warning will appear, prompting you to replace the background music with a non-copyrighted song.
On Twitch
Previously, Twitch struggled to enforce its own copyright policies, leading to instances where uncopyrighted music was used in streams or highlight videos without consequence. However, in 2020, this lax enforcement resulted in numerous high-profile users receiving copyright strikes and DMCA takedown warnings.
As a response, Twitch clarified its music rules and introduced its own library of Twitch-cleared music. As a result, Twitch streamers are limited to using music from the public domain or Creative Commons, songs from the Twitch music library, and licensed royalty-free music.
Part 4. FAQs about How to Know If a Song is Copyrighted
Q1. Can you use a cover of a popular song on YouTube?
It’s a common misconception that you can freely cover a song without worrying about copyright infringement. However, this isn’t the case. Recording and sharing a cover requires obtaining a ‘mechanical license’. For YouTube, if you’re adding visuals to your cover, like in a video, you may also need a ‘synchronization’ license. This is crucial if you plan to monetize your video. Without proper licensing, using a cover song in your YouTube video can lead to legal issues.
Q2. Can I use part of a song?
Another common belief is that using a short clip or sound effects from a song is permissible. However, this isn’t true either. Even a brief excerpt of a song falls under the same copyright restrictions as using the entire song. You still need permission from the copyright holders or obtain a license to use any part of a song on your YouTube channel, whether it’s for background music or a short clip for effect.
Q3. What Happens if I use copyrighted music without permission?
Using copyrighted music without permission can cause trouble. You might face charges for copyright infringement, leading to fines or other legal consequences.
If you upload copyrighted content on your YouTube channel, you may receive a copyright claim, your video could lose monetization, or your channel may even get a copyright strike. To stay out of trouble, it’s best to avoid using music without proper permissions.
Q4. Can’t I use any music for videos?
Of course not. There are numerous ways to incorporate royalty-free music into your YouTube, Instagram and Facebook videos, including using some popular songs. However, as every song is automatically copyrighted, the crucial factor is the permissions granted by the owner.
In order to avoid copyright issues, here I would like to introduce this excellent free online AI music generator Mubert AI to you. Mubert is a cutting-edge platform that seamlessly merges human creativity with AI-powered music generation. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or an aspiring creator, Mubert offers an innovative platform to create royalty free music in one clicks.
Key Features of Mubert:
Royalty-free Music: All tracks created by Mubert AI from text to music are royalty-free, enabling users to use them for commercial purposes without additional fees.
User-friendly Interface: Mubert offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.
Customizable Tracks: Users can tailor the generated tracks by adjusting parameters like tempo, key, and style to suit their preferences.
Wide Genre Selection: Mubert AI can produce tracks across various genres, including electronic, hip-hop, and classical, catering to diverse musical tastes.
High-Quality Output: Expect top-notch quality in every track generated by Mubert AI, suitable for a myriad of applications, including commercial projects.
3 Easy Steps to Make Royalty Free Music from Text by Mubert
Step 1: Start by visiting the Mubert website and signing up for a free account. This grants you access to Mubert’s basic features, including various tools and sounds for music creation.
Step 2: Customize your track by entering a prompt or uploading an image. For example, you can specify “chill music for work,” choose the type and duration, and then click “Generate Track.” With a free account, you can generate tracks up to 25 minutes long.
Step 3: After a few seconds, your music track will be successfully created. You can then choose to share your track or download it for personal use.
Note: You have to buy one of the plans to use the music without copyright after downloading the music track.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ensuring that you have the right permissions to use music in your content is crucial to avoid copyright infringement issues. Whether you’re creating videos for YouTube, streaming on Twitch, or posting on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, being aware of copyright laws and obtaining the necessary licenses or permissions is essential. By following the recommended steps to check if a song is copyrighted and understanding the various types of licenses available, you can create content confidently while respecting the rights of creators and copyright holders. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to seek permission or use royalty-free music created by Mubert to avoid any legal repercussions.
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