As a content creator, it’s important to know the rules when it come to making, editing, and publishing videos on YouTube. One aspect of creating videos for YouTube is having great music to accompany your video which will emcourage the viewer to keep watching. According to Time Magazine, we now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish. In my opinion, the best way to grab someone’s attention right away and hold it, is to get the audience humming or dancing along with a catchy piece of music. Let’s take a look at music on YouTube, the right and wrong way to get it, what to do when someone files a claim against you, and how to protect yourself from YouTube’s copyright rules.
Why can’t I use someone else’s music?
Actually, you can; and you can do it for free, legally. There are plenty of websites that provide downloadable, royalty free, open copyright music that doesn’t even require attribution. YouTube has a whole list you can search from, download, and use freely. Now if you want to use the latest JAY Z or Beyoncé track, there is a fairly good chance you won’t find that in this database. In many cases it would be to your advantage to purchase music from one of the thousands music database sites available online and make sure you have the right license in order to play the music on your video to avoid activating YouTube’s copyright policies.
Someone has placed a copyright claim on my video, what do I do?
If you are browsing your video channel, and notice that you have a copyright claim listed under your visibility, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to take down your video. I would recommend reviewing the Content ID Claim FAQ in order to ensure you are following all the rules. If you aren’t selling anything online, and it’s just you and your friends lip singing to “Bohemian Rhapsody” then you have nothing to worry about! Although, if you are selling t-shirts of Freddy Mercury and the song is playing overtop and you haven’t purchased the rights to the song, I would revise my marketing strategy. If you have purchased the music and the license covers your use, in many cases there is a page on their website to dispute a copyright claim, follow the directions they provide, or contact them directly.
How do I stop someone who is using my music?
As a creator, if I saw one of my videos being used to market someone else’s product or service, I would be livid. The good news is there are tons of resources available to ensure someone else can’t use your copyrighted material. I would recommend watching some of the YouTube Lessons Videos as well as you can submit a Copyright Takedown Notice. These are excellent resources to help with getting your content removed from YouTube.
I’ve gone through all of YouTube’s copyright rules and nothing has worked. What do I do?
I would say it’s time to contact a Lawyer. Although the Digital Millennium Copyright Act outlines all the laws and rules associated Digital Copyright, there is a lot of information to go through and ensure you are doing the right thing. If someone filing a complaint against you or if you need to file a complaint against someone, L4SB has Intellectual Property Lawyers ready to help you. Contact us or call 505.715.5700 to set up a consultation.
