How to Not Get Copyrighted on YouTube with Music | A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

As a YouTube creator, you need to be aware of copyright law and its implications for your videos. Copyright law can be complicated, but it’s important to understand the basics in order to protect yourself from any potential legal issues. This article will provide an overview of the different ways you can avoid getting copyrighted on YouTube with music.

Use Royalty-Free Music

One of the best ways to avoid copyright issues is to use royalty-free music. Royalty-free music is music that is not owned by any one person or entity. Instead, it’s freely available for anyone to use in their projects without having to pay royalties or licensing fees.

There are several steps you can take to find royalty-free music:

• Search for “royalty-free music” on Google or other search engines.
• Browse websites dedicated to providing royalty-free music, such as Pond5 or Free Music Archive.
• Check out YouTube channels that specialize in providing royalty-free music, such as NoCopyrightSounds or Monstercat.

When using royalty-free music, it’s important to understand the terms of use. Most royalty-free music comes with some restrictions, such as prohibiting commercial use or requiring attribution. Make sure you read the terms of use carefully before downloading or using any music.

Use Creative Commons Licensed Music

Another way to avoid copyright issues is to use Creative Commons licensed music. Creative Commons (CC) licenses are free, public copyright licenses that allow creators to share their work with others. There are several different types of CC licenses, each with different conditions.

To find Creative Commons licensed music, you can:

• Search for “Creative Commons music” on Google or other search engines.
• Browse websites dedicated to providing Creative Commons licensed music, such as Jamendo or ccMixter.
• Check out YouTube channels that specialize in providing Creative Commons licensed music, such as The Vibe Guide or Chillhop Music.

Purchase Music from an Online Marketplace

If you want to use high-quality, professionally produced music in your videos, you may want to consider purchasing music from an online marketplace. There are a variety of online marketplaces that offer music for sale, such as Beatport, Bandcamp, and iTunes.

When purchasing music from an online marketplace, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure you understand the terms of the license. Some licenses may restrict the number of times you can use the music or prohibit commercial use.
• Read any reviews or feedback from other users to make sure the music is of good quality.
• Compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Utilize the YouTube Audio Library

YouTube also offers an audio library of free music and sound effects that you can use in your videos. The library includes a wide selection of genres, including classical, electronic, hip-hop, rock, and more. You can access the library directly from the YouTube Video Editor.

Here are the steps for accessing and using the audio library:

• Go to the YouTube Video Editor.
• Click on the Audio tab.
• Select the Audio Library option.
• Browse through the library and select the music or sound effect you want to use in your video.
• Download the file and add it to your video.

Make Your Own Music

Making your own original music is another great way to avoid copyright issues. Creating your own music gives you complete control over your project and ensures that you won’t run into any legal issues. Plus, it’s a great way to express yourself creatively.

Here are some tips for creating your own music:

• Start with a basic idea and build on it.
• Experiment with different instruments and sounds.
• Think about the emotion you want to evoke with your music.
• Listen to music from other artists for inspiration.
• Record multiple versions of your song and choose the best one.

Get Permission from the Copyright Owner

In some cases, you may need to get permission from the copyright owner in order to use their music in your videos. This process can be time consuming and costly, so it should only be used as a last resort.

Here are some tips for reaching out to the copyright owner:

• Do your research to determine who owns the copyright to the music.
• Be clear and concise when explaining why you want to use the music.
• Be willing to negotiate the terms of the license.
• Be prepared to pay a fee for the license.

Conclusion

Using music in your videos can be a great way to enhance your content, but it’s important to understand copyright law and the different ways you can avoid getting copyrighted on YouTube. By using royalty-free music, Creative Commons licensed music, purchasing music from an online marketplace, utilizing the YouTube Audio Library, making your own music, or getting permission from the copyright owner, you can ensure that your videos are compliant with copyright law.