A Simple Guide to Music Licensing
For Content Creators, Filmmakers, and Developers
Using music in your projects can be confusing. What does "royalty-free" really mean? Can you use any song if you give credit? This guide will demystify the basic concepts of music licensing so you can use audio in your work confidently and legally.
Key Licensing Concepts
1. Copyright
Copyright is the legal right granted to the creator of an original work. It means that only the creator has the right to use, distribute, and profit from their work. For music, this applies to both the composition (the notes and melody) and the sound recording (the actual performance). Assume every piece of music is copyrighted unless proven otherwise.
2. Public Domain
When a copyright expires, the work enters the public domain. This means it is no longer protected by copyright and can be used by anyone for any purpose without permission or payment. In the U.S., works published before 1929 are generally in the public domain. However, be careful: a specific recording of a public domain composition (like Beethoven's 5th) can still be copyrighted.
3. Royalty-Free
This is one of the most misunderstood terms. Royalty-free does not mean free of cost. It means you pay a one-time fee to get the right to use the music in your projects without having to pay additional, recurring fees (royalties) for each use. You are buying a license. Platforms like those on our commercial subscriptions page operate on this model.
4. Creative Commons (CC)
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that provides free licenses for creators to allow others to share, use, and build upon their work. There are several types of CC licenses:
- Attribution (BY): You can use the work for any purpose (even commercially), but you MUST give credit to the original creator.
- ShareAlike (SA): You can use and adapt the work, but your new creation must be shared under the same license terms.
- NoDerivatives (ND): You can use the work, but you cannot modify or adapt it in any way.
- NonCommercial (NC): You can use the work, but not for any commercial purpose.
These can be combined, for example, CC BY-NC means you must give attribution and cannot use the work for commercial purposes.
Quick Comparison
| License Type | Cost | Usage Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Public Domain | Free | No restrictions. |
| Royalty-Free | One-time fee (usually) | Use in multiple projects without recurring fees. |
| Creative Commons (CC) | Free | Varies by license type (e.g., requires attribution). |
| Standard Copyright | Requires direct negotiation/payment | Cannot use without explicit permission. |