Being a YouTuber, you must know how to give music credit on YouTube to avoid getting your YouTube videos banned or getting stringent copyright strikes. Adding the right music or song to your YouTube videos can be a game-changer. However, this is where content creators often face the obstacle of including copyrighted music in their videos.
This article will cover everything you should know about incorporating copyrighted music into your videos and how to give music credit on YouTube.
Why Are Music Credits Important?
The music credits recognize the original creators. The viewers get factual information about the creator, and credits protect the uploader from legal consequences. Here are a few reasons why giving music credits on YouTube is important:
1. The platforms Need It
Music streaming platforms, such as YouTube, require credits from uploaders of original creators before publishing. This makes the platform genuine for the audience and protects the artist from unfair copyright use. Without proper authority, content can be demonetized or removed.
2. Fans discover the original artist
YouTube is a platform specially geared toward video publishing to entertain the audience. Giving credit helps the audience discover upcoming and underrated artists. The uploader provides valuable exposure to original creators through credits.
3. Royalties are properly distributed
The credits give the original creators insights into their use of content, which can be tracked to get paid royalties. The credits are necessary for music licensing agreements.
When should you give music credits on YouTube?
The YouTube creators use music tracks and snippets to make their videos engaging. So, it is necessary to understand how to give music credit on YouTube to the rightful owner. The creator has to give credit in the following cases:
1. Use of Royalty Free Music
Many artists or platforms provide royalty-free music. The creators can use the music for free, but giving credit is good practice. Platforms such as YouTube let you use royalty-free music but require attribution because it helps you discover content that has used the same royalty-free music.
2. Licensed Music
Many YouTube creators purchase a license to avoid any copyright claims on their videos. Still, an artist can ask for credit in their agreement. This agreement will let the uploader or purchaser monetize the content while giving credit to the artist.
3. Background Music
Even if you use someone’s music for a few seconds, your video can get a copyright strike. Give proper credit to the artist even for a fraction of the music added.
Where to Give Music Credits on YouTube
There are dedicated spaces on the YouTube platform to give music credit. Here are the most used and visible spots:
1. Description Section
The most common habit for any viewer is to look for descriptions when exploring the music in the content. Descriptions are easily accessible to both viewers and creators. Give credit using:
- Song Name/Title
- Artist Info (Official Name or Artist Name)
- License Type (If any)
- Link to the original Content or the artist’s Official Page.
2. End Screen
Creators of cinematic or professional content can add credits at the end to give a suitable ending to the video, just like movies that acknowledge the original creators at the end.
3. YouTube Music Policy
The creator studio has a YouTube music policy where the uploader can mention the artist. Nevertheless, YouTube has a content ID for every video, which helps recognize every music added.
How to Format Music Credits
Randomly mentioning the creators will not help the creators or the platform attribution. Here is the format to get an overview of how to give music credit on YouTube:
- Song title: The exact title that is uploaded to the platform.
- Artist Name: Credit the Artist, banner, or company that has the license.
- Source platform: From where you obtain the track, such as Spotify or YouTube library.
- License Type: Mention the type, whether it’s royalty-free or under a specific license type.
- Reference: link to original content: Direct URL to content or artist page.
Example:
Song: Calm Down
Artist: Rema & Selena Gomez
Source: YouTube
License: By Mavin Global Holdings Ltd/ Jonzing World Entertainment, under exclusive license to Interscope.
How To Give Credit To Music On YouTube?
If you like to use a copyrighted song, you must understand how to give music credit on YouTube. Otherwise, it can lead to a strike. You must obtain permission from the song or music owner. If you are familiar with the artist, you can politely email them asking permission to use their song in the video.
However, to credit a song from a major recording artist or a record label, you must know their licensing terms and negotiate the fees. This can sometimes be hectic, especially for YouTubers in the initial phases of growing their channel.
The third choice is to use a song from a royalty-free music company that offers music or songs to budding artists for commercial use. This way, you can give credit to music on YouTube without paying hefty fees.
How To Use Music With Copyrights In Your YT Videos
There are 3 efficient and legal methods to include copyrighted music or songs in your YouTube videos.
1. Use Copyright-Free Music Available In the Public Domain
Over time, many copyrighted works have removed their copyright protection and can be used for free. You can always visit the public domain information website to learn more about publicly available music that you can include in your videos. However, these copyright laws differ from country to country, and we suggest verifying your country’s laws of copyrighted music before using one. Giving credit to music on your YouTube videos is always better than paying penalties.
2. Reuse YT Music With A Creative Commons License
It is a common license category that music composers use to make their work available for commercial or non-commercial use. It is one of the best choices if you intend to get more views on your videos and monetize your content. Several Content creators use the Creative Commons license to allow other fellow YouTubers to utilize their work in their respective YT videos. However, such creators must credit the music or song composer before using their work.
3. Get The Legal Authorization From The Copyrighted Owner
Maybe your video still requires music that is neither free to use under a commons license nor public domain. The only solution you are left with is to get prior permission with full legal rights before using the copyrighted material.
Tools to Help with Music Credits
Here is a list of tools to help you with music credits:
1. YouTube Ad Library
The ad library provides free music and sound effects for your videos. It often provides prewritten credit, making it easy for the creator. The tools state clear attribution information.
2. Tune SAT/ Audible Magic
The tool helps you find the original creator. If you liked the music but don’t know the name, the tool can help you find the original track with a proper name for credits.
3. Lickd
The tools help to license popular commercial tracks for YouTube. Easy to make trending content without infringing copyright claims.
4. Shazam or SoundHood
The most popular tool for recognizing any song. Just requires a few beats of the song. Now you can add your creative flair anytime.
5. Songview (ASCAP & BMI)
The tool can help you find metadata such as songwriter or publisher information. Used to give proper credit without making mistakes. Specially used when there are multiple license holders.
How Do I Acknowledge Copyrighted Music On YouTube?
Here you go if you are wondering how to give music credit on YouTube. There are easy steps to acknowledge copyrighted music on YouTube:
- Give credit to the original artist in the video description. Mention the artist’s name, song title, and link to the music URL.
- Request permission to purchase or use the music legally to avoid copyright issues.
- Use royalty-free music from the YouTube library.
Can Copyright Claims Penalize My Channel?
Yes, it is crucial to maintain a copyright-free YouTube channel to avoid demonization, takedown of the video by YouTube upon review, and even restrictions on uploading content on the channel with each copyright strike. Additionally, repeated copyright issues can result in the permanent termination of your YouTube channel.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Permission?
The permission cost may vary depending on the artist and how popular the song or the music is. So, the rights to the song may also depend on other factors, like the type of music and how you plan to use it. The pricing can range from a few dollars to hundreds and thousands, depending on whether they are independent or big-label music companies. It can be a one-time fee, or they can even charge a percentage of the revenue of the YouTube video.
Alternatives To Using Copyrighted Music
Use royalty-free music, which is available on many websites, as an alternative to copyrighted music. Other options include making music from scratch or listening to songs that are available under Creative Commons licenses, which typically permit attribution-free use. You may also find music libraries that are already installed in some video editing programs, so you won’t have to worry about copyright constraints.
Conclusion
Including music or a song is essential to creating an engaging YouTube video. Additionally, knowing how to give music credit on YouTube is critical to preventing legal infringements. A brilliant way to avoid such copyright issues is to use the extensive YouTube audio library. It consists of royalty-free productions, which every creator can use without violating copyright laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What If I Upload A Video With Copyrighted Music?
If a creator uses copyrighted music in his or her videos without permission, YT will probably remove the video from its platform.
Q2. What Is The Consequence Of Getting Two Back-To-Back Copyright Strikes On YouTube?
If YouTube slams you with two copyright strikes within 90 days, you won’t be able to post content for at least 2 weeks. If no additional issues arise, your YT creator rights will be restored after the 2-week duration.
Q3.How do I legally use copyrighted music on YouTube?
You can ask to buy a license or legal permission from the original creator to use music legally.
Q4. Can I Check If My YouTube Video Has Copyrighted Music?
Yes. YT allows you to verify whether your video includes any copyrighted music that may later on attract copyright infringement laws and penalties.