Use of background music (BGM) is vital where there is a need to complement the moods, tones, and action of the content. Any type of content, whether it is YouTube videos, podcasts, social media posts, or adverts, can leverage on background music.
But while one may want to utilize music in the projects, there are legal concerns that have to be taken into consideration. For example, the distinction between copyright music and royalty free music.
Needless to say, knowledge of the differences between these two licensing options is paramount to content makers in order to avert copyright disputation, legal constraints and, rather most importantly, to retain the analytic nature of their work. Let’s go deeper into a definition of both terms and decide on applicability of each, regarding your project.
What Is Copyright Background Music?
Original music which is the creating person under copyright laws is the one that is classified as copyrighted music. Original work Copyright is the automatic right owned by a musician, composer or an artist once a song is created. This means that the creator has the power to control the use, reproduction, distribution, and performance of his or her music.
Permission to use any other music other than the author’s own is necessary. This is usually given in the form of a licence. It also indicates that if your carry out work without proper licenses and permission, you may end up in the Hot Water of copyright infringement. Resulting into your content being pulled down, demonetized or legal action.
Key Characteristics of Copyrighted Music:
Requires Permission: To be able to use copyrighted music reasonably, one needs prior permission from the owner of the musical work. This can usually be done in the form of sync licenses for the pieces for video that are accompanied by the music or performance licenses for any public event.
Monetization Impact: Adverse consequences for content monetization are incurred by the use of copyrighted music in film videos without proper permission, especially on YouTube, where all revenues from advertisements are also attributed to the music owner.
Legal Consequences: The potential consequences of using copyrighted music without permission are severe, including but not limited to removal of your content, copyright offences, lawsuits, and large penalties.
Higher Costs: The licensing of copyrighted music, especially well-known or popular songs, is expensive. It is normally common when the intention of using the content is commercial in that the fees differ with the distribution and exposure nature of the content.
Common Misconception:
Many content creators typically err in understanding that if the artist is mentioned in the video description, then it is permissable to use the music. This is not so. Even if the artist is credited, you will still need to properly license the work.
What is Royalty-Free Background Music?
In contrast, music that can be used royalty-free comes under a licensing model where with just a one-time payment, content users need not pay further royalties to the owner of the music. Though the name might suggest, royalty-free music is not always free because it means you pay an initial fee, and do not have to keep paying every time the music is used or distributed.
Royalty-free music provides good quality music for content creators who do not want to deal with the legal and financial issues associated with traditional copyright licensing.
Important traits of royalty-free music:
One-Time Fee: You only pay one amount to obtain the rights to the music, after which you are free of paying additional or ongoing royalties. For keen content creators working on a shoestring, this is relatively a low-cost affordable option.
Wide Range of Usage: Royalty-free music is in most cases transferable in many legs of most projects making it a practical solution for high volume producers.
Copyright Certainty: Once you obtain the license, you can use the music in ways that conforms to the terms of the licensing agreement. Most platforms that are royalty free have straightforward terms of licensing, which covers you against claims of infringement of copyright.
Attribution Requirements: Some royalty free music still has restrictions and attribution may be one of them. A_asynth
Differences Between Copyrighted and Royalty-Free Music
Cost and Licensing:
- Copyrighted music is predominantly encumbered by prohibitive license fees, especially when the music is popular or being used for promotional activities. For instance, the payment might be based on how long the song is used, the audience size, or the means of distribution.
- As for royalty free music, this costs the user less, as there is only one payment that has to be made. Therefore, it is more suitable for individual creators and for small companies.
Monetization:
- As it comes to copyright music, it can be used, but if any licensing is not arranged monetization could be rather limited on such social platforms as YouTube or Facebook. The advertisement money within your video goes to the owner of the music and the artist receives nothing.
- This problem is very peculiar with Royalty-Free Music. When you acquire the right to use the music, you are free to earn monetization from the videos or any media in which that music was used with certain conditions imposed.
Legal Risks:
- The use of copyrighted music without permission is inviting a world of trouble, although the trouble may come in the form of legal actions regarding the use of the content over the internet; copyright strikes – threatening legal action – or worse, civil suits ignoring a cease and desist warning.
- These troubles do not happen with Royalty Free Music. Their terms of use are straightforward and systematic which minimises the risk of being sued for copyright infringement as long as those terms are adhered to.
Flexibility
- There are times when copyrighted music may be restricting due to restricted terms of usage (for instance only for non-commercial projects).
- Conveniently, the collected usage fees will allow in dealing with royalty free music without limits it will be possible to use one and the same track in various projects without any additional payments.
Which One Should You Choose?
When making a choice between copyrighted or royalty-free music, it is situational as per the content creator’s requirements:
- If you need a recognizable tune to enhance your work and are willing to pay for the rights, then the copyrighted music may be suitable for you.
- On the other hand, most independent creators, startups and projects with limited resources will do well opting for royalty-free music and this is the right option for most cases. It is affordable, legal, and of high quality, what else do you need?
Conclusion
The key factor to bear in mind when choosing between copyrighted and royalty-free background music is to assess the requirements and scope of funds for your project. Copyrighted music can work to your advantage, but it poses legal challenges and higher prices, on the other hand, royalty-free music is accessible and easy to work around for most makers. In every instance, take the necessary precautions in such circumstances to ensure that the right licenses are in place so as to avoid copyright issues that may jeopardize the content.
FAQ
What’s the difference between copyrighted and royalty-free BGM music?
Copyrighted music is protected by law and requires permission to use. Royalty-free BGM music lets you use it for a fee without ongoing payments.
How can music copyright laws in India affect content creators?
In India, creators must follow music copyright laws to avoid trouble. Breaking these laws can lead to content removal from sites like YouTube and TikTok.
What are composition rights and recording rights?
Composition rights belong to the music creator, earning them royalties for use. Recording rights are for the specific recording, like a music label, controlling its use.
What can happen if I use copyrighted music without permission?
Using music without permission can cause copyright claims and legal issues. It might also lead to financial losses from demonetization or legal settlements.
What does royalty-free music mean, and how is it a solution for creators?
Royalty-free music lets you use it without ongoing royalties after a one-time fee. It helps creators add music to their content without the hassle of getting permissions.
What are licensing fees in the context of royalty-free music?
Licensing fees are one-time payments for using royalty-free music. They give creators the right to use the music as agreed in the license.
Why is it important to understand the terms and conditions of royalty-free music?
Knowing the terms ensures creators use royalty-free music legally. It helps respect the artists and avoid copyright infringement in India.
How do music licensing and copyright claims work in India?
In India, music licensing means getting permission to use music legally. Copyright claims happen when music is used without permission, leading to legal actions or content removal.
What’s the difference between copyright-free and royalty-free music?
Copyright-free music is in the public domain or under Creative Commons, needing attribution. Royalty-free music is copyrighted but can be used for a fee without ongoing royalties.
Why is it essential to choose BGM music wisely for digital content in India?
Picking the right BGM music is key to respecting rights and avoiding legal problems. It also ensures the quality and earning potential of digital content in India.
