Do you want to upload a video on YouTube but are hesitant because it contains copyrighted music? If yes, then you are not alone. Many people find it challenging to upload such videos on YouTube without getting hit by copyright claims or strikes. YouTube’s copyright policy is strict and could result in account suspension or termination. However, there are ways to upload a video with copyrighted music on YouTube without trouble. In this blog post, we’ll share some proven methods to upload a video with copyrighted music on YouTube.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Uploading A Video With Copyrighted Music on YouTube
YouTube’s content ID system is designed to detect copyrighted songs in videos and prevent unauthorized use. The system compares your video’s audio content to a vast database of copyrighted music and flags any matches. If your video contains copyrighted music, YouTube would issue a copyright claim against it, meaning the copyright owner could collect ad revenue from your video’s views or block the video outright. In severe cases, the copyright owner could take legal action against you or ask YouTube to terminate your channel.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before uploading a video with copyrighted music on YouTube, there are a few things you should prepare for. Firstly, you need to obtain permission from the music producer or copyright owner before uploading the video. You could hire a music licensing company to help you obtain a license or use royalty-free music. Secondly, you need to edit or alter the copyrighted music so that it’s not recognizable by YouTube’s content ID system. Lastly, you should acknowledge the music source in your video’s description or end credits.
Method 1: Using Fair Use Policy
Fair Use is a legal concept that allows people to use copyrighted materials without permission under certain conditions, such as for teaching, criticism, commentary, news reporting, scholarship, or research. If you plan to use copyrighted music for one of these reasons, you could claim Fair Use and upload the video on YouTube. Here’s how:
1. Determine if your video qualifies for Fair Use based on the four-factor test: the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of use, and the effect on the potential market.
2. Provide a disclaimer in your video and video description that states your use of the copyrighted music falls under Fair Use.
3. Add commentary, critique, or other transformative elements to the video to establish its educational or informational value.
4. Use copyrighted music only for a short duration and not as the primary focus of the video.
5. Be ready to defend your Fair Use claim if challenged by the copyright owner.
Pros:
– You don’t need permission or license to use copyrighted music under certain conditions.
– You can assert your rights if your use of the copyrighted material is challenged.
Cons:
– Fair Use is a complex and controversial issue with no clear-cut rules or guidelines.
– The copyright owner may still claim copyright infringement if they disagree with your Fair Use claim.
Method 2: Using Public Domain Music
Public domain music refers to music that is not protected by copyright or whose copyright has expired, meaning it’s available for anyone to use without permission. You could use public domain music for your video without worrying about copyright claims. Here’s how:
1. Find public domain music that fits your video’s mood, tempo, and genre. You could search for public domain music on websites like Free Music Archive, Musopen, or Public Domain 4 U.
2. Download the music and add it to your video editing software or YouTube’s Audio Library.
3. Edit the music to fit your video’s timing and style.
4. Add proper attribution to the public domain music in your video’s description or end credits.
Pros:
– You can use public domain music legally without obtaining permission or paying license fees.
– You can find a vast collection of public domain music in various genres and styles.
Cons:
– Public domain music may not be as popular or trendy as copyrighted music, limiting your video’s audience appeal.
– The quality of public domain music may vary, and you may need to spend time searching for the ideal track.
Method 3: Using Creative Commons Music
Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal tools for authors, creators, and artists to share and license their work. You could use Creative Commons music for your video by following certain guidelines. Here’s how:
1. Find Creative Commons music that fits your video’s theme on websites like Creative Commons Music and Jamendo.
2. Check the specific CC license terms and conditions of the music and make sure it’s free to use for commercial purposes and without attribution or modifications.
3. Download the music and add it to your video editing software or YouTube’s Audio Library.
4. Edit the music to fit your video’s timing and style.
Pros:
– You can use Creative Commons music freely and legally, making it an excellent alternative to copyrighted music.
– You have a wide range of musical choices in various genres and moods.
Cons:
– The quality of Creative Commons music may vary, and you may need to spend time searching for the ideal track.
– Some CC licenses may require you to provide attribution or may limit the commercial use of the music.
Why Can’t I Upload A Video With Copyrighted Music on Youtube?
There are several reasons why you can’t upload a video with copyrighted music on YouTube, such as:
1. The music publisher or copyright owner has not authorized its use on YouTube.
2. The content ID system has detected the copyrighted music in your video and flagged it for copyright infringement.
3. You have not obtained a proper license or permission to use the copyrighted music on YouTube.
To fix these issues, you should obtain permission or license to use the copyrighted music, edit or alter the music to avoid detection, or use non-copyrighted alternatives such as public domain or Creative Commons music.
Additional Tips
– Use a video editing software to blend the copyrighted music with other audio tracks or sound effects to make it less recognizable.
– Use music that’s not popular or widely available to reduce the chances of it being flagged by the content ID system.
– Do not upload videos that exclusively feature copyrighted music or use it as the primary focus of the video.
– Use YouTube’s Audio Library to find non-copyrighted music for your videos.
– Be prepared to dispute copyright claims if you think they’re invalid.
5 FAQs about Uploading A Video With Copyrighted Music on Youtube
Q1: Can I use copyrighted music in my YouTube video without permission?
A: No, you need to obtain permission or license from the music publisher or copyright owner before using copyrighted music in your YouTube video.
Q2: What happens if I upload a video with copyrighted music without permission?
A: YouTube’s content ID system would detect the copyrighted music and issue a copyright claim against your video. The copyright owner could collect ad revenue from your video’s views or block the video outright.
Q3: Can I use copyrighted music for teaching, criticism, or parody purposes in my YouTube video?
A: Yes, you could claim Fair Use under certain conditions and use copyrighted music in your YouTube video without permission. However, you need to establish the video’s educational, informational, or transformative value and be ready to defend your Fair Use claim.
Q4: What is public domain music?
A: Public domain music refers to music that is not protected by copyright or whose copyright has expired. Anyone can use public domain music without obtaining permission or paying license fees.
Q5: What is Creative Commons music?
A: Creative Commons music refers to music that is licensed under the Creative Commons license, allowing users to share, remix, or use the music for free and without permission under certain conditions.
In Conclusion
Uploading a video with copyrighted music on YouTube could be challenging, but not impossible. You could use Fair Use, public domain, or Creative Commons music to avoid copyright claims or strikes. However, you should obtain permission or license if possible, edit or alter the music to avoid detection, and acknowledge the music source in your video credits. By following these tips, you could safely upload videos with copyrighted music on YouTube and showcase your creative talent to the world.