As a YouTuber who likes to use music in their videos, you may have thought about how to stay out of trouble with YouTube’s copyright rules.  Music can make your content better, but if you use protected songs without permission, you could get sued, lose your money, or even have your video taken down.

This post will show you how to check the copyright status of YouTube music and how to stay away from copyright problems.

How Does YouTube Treat Copyrighted Music?

Before diving into how to check the copyright status of music, it’s essential to understand the consequences of using copyrighted material without permission. YouTube has strict policies when it comes to copyright, and it’s easy to make a mistake, especially if you’re new to the platform.

Using copyrighted music without proper authorization can lead to serious repercussions:

• Video Removal: Your video may be taken down if a copyright owner files a claim.
• Copyright Strikes: Receiving a strike on your channel can restrict your ability to upload videos and access other features.
• Monetization Issues: Your video could be demonetized, meaning you won’t earn ad revenue, or the copyright owner may receive the revenue instead.
• Account Termination: If you accumulate multiple strikes, your entire YouTube account could be terminated.

Understanding these risks makes it clear why checking music copyright status is crucial before uploading your videos. So how do you avoid these issues while still using great music in your videos?

How to Avoid YouTube Music Copyright Issues?

Now that you know the consequences of using copyrighted music, it’s time to learn how to steer clear of these issues. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can implement to avoid copyright strikes on YouTube.

1. Use YouTube’s Audio Library: YouTube provides a free collection of royalty-free music and sound effects in their Audio Library, which is safe to use. You can filter tracks by genre, mood, or even duration to find the right music for your video.
   
   
2. Check Music License Terms: Make sure to review the licensing terms of any music you intend to use. Many songs are free for personal use but require a paid license for commercial purposes. Always confirm whether you’re allowed to use the music for YouTube.
   
   
3. Purchase Music Licenses: There are platforms like Epidemic Sound, AudioJungle, and Artlist where you can purchase licenses for music. This guarantees that you have the legal rights to use the music in your videos.
   
   
4. Get Permission: If you want to use a specific song, contact the artist or copyright holder directly to request permission. Always get it in writing to ensure you’re legally covered.
   
   
5. Stay Informed About YouTube’s Copyright Policies: Keep up-to-date with YouTube’s policies and guidelines on copyright to ensure you’re aware of any changes.
   
   

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of encountering copyright issues. However, you’ll still need to double-check the copyright status of the music before using it, and that’s where copyright checkers come into play.

Is There a Tool to Check YouTube Music Copyright Status?

Yes! There are several tools available that can help you check the copyright status of the music you want to use. These tools can save you time and prevent you from dealing with unwanted copyright issues.

For example, using TubePilot’s copyright music checker tool makes it easy to see if music on YouTube is protected by copyright.  You can quickly find out if a YouTube music video is legal with TubePilot’s simple copyright music checker. 

The tool will tell you if the track can be used in your content after you enter the URL of the YouTube video.  Those who make content and want to use music in their movies without getting in trouble with copyright will find this tool very useful.

While third-party tools are great, it’s always a good idea to double-check the results using YouTube’s Content ID system for the most reliable and up-to-date information.

How Do I Find Royalty-Free Music for My YouTube Videos?

Once you understand the importance of checking copyright status, the next question is: How do you find music that’s free to use on YouTube? Royalty-free music can save you from legal trouble, and there are plenty of platforms offering free or paid tracks. Here are some resources to consider:

1. YouTube Audio Library: The YouTube Audio Library offers free music and sound effects for your videos. All tracks here are royalty-free, making it a safe option for YouTubers.
   
   
2. Free Music Archive: This platform features music that’s free to use, often under Creative Commons licenses. You can browse music by genre or mood to find tracks that fit your video.
3. TubePilot Royalty-Free Music Tool: The royalty-free music tool by TubePilot helps you discover safe tracks for your YouTube videos. TubePilot provides YouTubers with high-quality, copyright-free, and royalty-free music.  Users may search and download the appropriate movie background music without copyright issues using our free tool. 

TubePilot’s music collection contains Ambient, Classical, Country, Dubstep, EDM, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lofi, Pop, R&B, Reggae, Rock, Trance, and Trap, making it simple to fit your video’s tone.

4. Incompetech: Created by composer Kevin MacLeod, Incompetech offers a wide variety of royalty-free music. Most tracks require attribution, so make sure you credit the artist.
   
   
5. Epidemic Sound: If you’re willing to pay for high-quality music, Epidemic Sound offers a subscription service where you can access a library of music for your videos. This music is licensed for use on YouTube.
   
   
6. Artlist: Artlist is another paid platform that provides royalty-free music with commercial licenses. This service is especially useful for creators who want to ensure they are legally covered for all types of projects.
   
   

These platforms help you find music that’s both high-quality and legally safe to use on YouTube, whether you’re looking for free or paid options.

How to Use Music Legally on YouTube

Using music legally on YouTube goes beyond just finding royalty-free tracks. You also need to make sure you follow the proper procedures to stay within the bounds of YouTube’s copyright policies.

1. Always Check the License: No matter where you find your music, always check the license. Some tracks may be free to use for personal projects but require a paid license for commercial use, so make sure you know what’s allowed.
   
   
2. Give Proper Attribution: If the music you’re using is under a Creative Commons license, it might require attribution. This means you need to credit the artist in your video description.
   
   
3. Use Music from Licensed Platforms: If you’re using music from platforms like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, or AudioJungle, you’re covered because these services provide you with licenses for commercial use.
   
   
4. Understand Fair Use: Fair use allows you to use copyrighted material in certain contexts like commentary, critique, or parody. However, fair use is often subjective and can result in disputes, so it’s not always a reliable way to avoid copyright issues.
   
   
5. Stay Updated with YouTube’s Copyright Policy: YouTube frequently updates its copyright policies, so it’s crucial to stay informed and compliant with any changes to avoid penalties.
   
   

Wrapping It Up

By checking the copyright state of your YouTube music, you can make sure that your content won’t be taken down or sued for copyright.   Check your music twice before you post it, whether you use YouTube’s Content ID method or a different one.   To stay on the right side of the law, you should also use music sources that don’t charge royalties, read licensing agreements, and follow YouTube’s copyright rules.

These rules let you utilize music in YouTube videos without copyright issues.  Ready to create without copyright issues?