top of page

MUSIC COPYRIGHT & LICENSES

It's important to choose the right music for your film and you must have the license to use it!
do you need help choosing music for your film?
 Music copyright:
Want to keep the budget of your film to a minimum?
desperately want to use your favourite song for this scene?
copyright free music =
music that can be used & downloaded freely by anyone.
royalty free music =
music that you have to pay for once, then it's yours to use freely.
Creative Commons =
Allows creative work to be used by the commons. uncopyrighted music
 Creative Commons license agreement: 

"Creative Commons is a worldwide, California-based nonprofit organization. Its mission is to expand creative works in a variety of fields for others to build upon and legally share.

The organization releases copyright licenses, known as Creative Commons licenses, which are free to use."

Source: Studio binder

Source: studio binder

CC BY:

 

Use the music any way you want.

CC BY-SA:

 

The same as the CC BY, but the SA stands for Share-Alike.

 

This means you can change the track, share it with other people so they can use it. It’s still all legal as long as you offer it under the same CC BY-SA license.

CC BY-ND:

ND = No Derivative Works.

 

The music cannot be changed from its original. Using the music is fine but remixing is not.

CC BY- NC:

 

NC = Non Commercial.

This means you can’t profit off the video that the song is used for, especially if you’re trying to sell something.

 watch this video for a visual explanation  about the Creative Commons: 

need some music for your film but don't want to spend money?
 check out these sites for free
 music and sounds: 
 1. YouTube audio library
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 13.20.48.png
familiar site to use. lots of moods, styles, tempos for you to use.
how to access YouTube audio library:
  1. sign into YouTube account
     
  2. click top right
    on YouTube studio 

     
  3. bottom left click audio library
follow this video for more help on using YouTube audio library
 2. YouTube channels
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 13.08.47.png
search creative commons music into YouTube.
find a channel that suits you, check their attribution regulation and find your music!
popular for calming background and ambient music as well as upbeat edm great for blogging.
🎵 Venetian - Density & Time 🎧 No Copyright Music 🎶 YouTube Audio Library
03:02
Operatic 3 - Vibe Mountain | No Copyright Music YouTube - Free Audio Library
03:14
Breakfast Alone - The Whole Other
03:19
 3. bensound
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 13.34.37.png
easy to search.
page on how to credit/attribute artist.
free downloads and royalty free.
variety of genres, some familiar tunes from instagram adverts.
 4. free stock music
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 12.45.06.png

A great site where you can search by mood, length, tempo, title, Creative Commons type e.t.c.

 

They also have sound effects and TV themes.

Clear statement at top about how to credit artist.

 5. free sound
Screenshot 2021-02-20 at 10.19.09.png
LOTS OF FREE SOUND EFFECTS AND MIXES. EACH TRACK HAS ITS OWN REGULATIONS ON HOW TO REGULATE.
 6. planet purple 
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 12.41.27.png
royalty free music & lots of free music for your projects with guidance how to correctly credit.
 7. free music archive
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 12.38.04.png
can choose between royalty free and Creative Commons license.
attribution regulation for each piece.
licensing faq page
 8. cc mixter 
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 12.34.23.png
nice selection of music.
easy to use- just give credit to musicians used.
 9. Incompetech
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 12.26.27.png

Offers songs with a CC BY | CC BY SA license. Under this, you can use, alter, and share the song as long as you offer it under the same licensing.

 

Attribution required.

They offer a premium membership but don’t be fooled, the free downloadable options are still good. Lots of genres.

 10. cctrax
Screenshot 2021-02-18 at 12.21.43.png
search bar allows you to filter by license. wide variety of music not necessarily aimed at film.
 11. musopen
more focused on musicians & music education than filmmakers. lots of classical and orchestral pieces.
 12. Audionautix
all work needs to be attributed- in your credits the site/creator (Jason Shaw) needs to be mentioned.
to find more music resources 
click here

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING?

Royalty Free Music Explained - What Is It and How To Use It
02:09
Best Copyright Free Music for YouTube Videos — Top 3 Sites
15:38
How to Get The Best, Free Music For YouTube Videos [Royalty Free]
03:36
background no icon.png

Ask your technician

Thanks for submitting!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
bottom of page