Table of Contents
Can I use part of a song in my video?
If you’re going to use any piece of an existing song, you need a master license. It gives you permission — from the owner of the copyrighted song — to use some of it, pull a guitar riff from it, or record yourself singing over it. Either way, it’s a must-have if you want to avoid any legal issues.
Can I use licensed music?
In order to use that recording, you’ll need a master use license. Together, a master use license and a sync license will allow you to add your favorite songs to the films and video games you create. The good news is that you don’t have to contact famous celebrities directly in order to obtain these licenses.
What licenses do I need to use music in my film?
• Master Use License: This is the right to reproduce a specific recording of a song in your film or other audio-visual content. You clear this right with the entity (usually the record label) that owns the specific recording you would like to use. Alternatively, companies such as SoundExchange can provide this information online.
Do I need a license to record and distribute cover songs?
You can freely record and distribute cover songs by paying a statutory royalty fee but if you want to use your cover version on a video, you still need to secure the sync license from the publisher (the owner of the music composition, that is, the owner of the original music and words that you re-recorded).
Do you need a license to use copyrighted music?
You need to obtain a license to use music that is not within the public domain. Stanford University Libraries have highlighted a five-step process to get permission for using copyrighted works. Determine if a copyrighted work requires permission. Identify the original owner of the content.
Do you need permission to use a song in a video?
There are two different types of use: Private Use: If you only want to show the video to your closest friends and don’t intend to publish it on the Internet or another medium, let alone distribute it commercially, then you don’t need the permission of the creator. You don’t have to license the song.