What do I need to consider when wanting to use music for my YouTube videos?
July 1, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Chloé Tressel
Dear copyright lawyer,
My name is Emil Blumberg and I run a YouTube channel where I regularly upload videos on various topics. Now, I am planning to use music in my videos to make them more interesting and engaging. However, I am unsure about what I need to consider in order to avoid copyright infringement.
Currently, I only use music that I have downloaded from free online sources. However, I have heard that this may not always be legal and that some artists or record labels may potentially claim copyright infringement.
My concern is that I may unknowingly violate copyright laws and could be held accountable for it. Therefore, I want to ensure that I comply with all legal regulations and do not encounter any issues.
Could you please explain to me what rules and regulations I need to follow if I want to use music for my YouTube videos? Are there legal ways to use music without violating copyrights? And how can I ensure that the music I use is actually free of copyright?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Kind regards,
Emil Blumberg
Dear Mr. Blumberg,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of music in your YouTube videos and the associated copyright issues. It is very important to familiarize yourself with legal regulations in order to avoid potential copyright infringements.
In general, music is protected by copyright. This means that using music in your videos without the proper rights or licenses could constitute a copyright infringement. It is irrelevant whether you downloaded the music from free online sources or not. Even free music can be copyrighted.
To ensure that you do not commit copyright infringements, there are various legal ways to use music for your YouTube videos:
1. Licensing: You can license music from platforms such as Epidemic Sound, Artlist, or Audiojungle. There, you will receive the necessary usage rights for the music, which you can then use in your videos.
2. Creative Commons: There is also music that is licensed under a Creative Commons license. This music can be used for free under certain conditions, as long as you comply with the terms of the license (e.g. attribution of the author).
3. Original compositions: Another option is to use your own music or music from friends or acquaintances who grant you the rights to use it.
To ensure that the music you use is actually free from copyrights, always make sure to obtain the music from reputable sources and obtain the necessary licenses or permissions. Even if you download music from seemingly free sources, it may still be copyrighted.
I strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the terms and copyright of the music before using it in your YouTube videos, and seek professional advice if in doubt. This is the only way to ensure that you do not commit copyright infringements and avoid legal problems.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions.
Sincerely,
Chloé Tressel, Copyright Lawyer
