“I Do Not Own The Rights To This Music” – Can You Use Copyrighted Audio?

Can you use copyrighted audio in your videos and other online content if you add a disclaimer stating “I do not own the rights to this music”? This is a question that many people ask, and the answer is not always clear.

In this blog post, we will discuss what happens if you use copyrighted music in your content and whether or not you can get in trouble for doing so. We will also provide some tips on finding royalty-free music that you can use in your videos. Stay safe and stay legal – read on for more information!

What Is Copyrighted Audio, and Why Should You Care?

Copyrighted audio is any sound recording that is protected by copyright law. The copyright owner has exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display the copyrighted work. This includes making copies of the work in any form (including digital).

If you want to use copyrighted audio in your own project, you need to get permission from the copyright owner. This can be done by getting a license from the copyright owner or by obtaining a mechanical license. A mechanical license allows you to reproduce and distribute a limited number of copies of the copyrighted work for a fee.

Why should you care?

Well, if you don't, you could find yourself in some serious legal trouble. The penalties for copyright infringement can be severe, and you could owe the copyright owner a lot of money. In some cases, you may even be fined or jailed.

So, if you're thinking about using copyrighted audio in your project, it's important to understand the risks involved and get permission from the copyright

Does Saying I Don't Own the Rights to The Music Protect Me from Copyright Infringement?

No, it does not.

Saying that you don't own the rights to something does not protect you from copyright infringement. To truly understand this concept, we must consider intellectual property in the same way that we think about real property.

Like real property, intellectual property is extremely valuable and must be protected. Once someone infringes on copyright laws, they are infringing on someone else's livelihood and financial well-being.

And just like taking someone's car without permission can have serious consequences, so too can committing copyright infringement. 

Therefore, it is clear that simply claiming “I don't own the rights to this music” is not enough to protect oneself from copyright infringement. One must take a proactive stance and seek permission from the original owner before using their work or taking any other actions that could potentially infringe upon their intellectual property rights.

Only by being diligent and acting with integrity can we safeguard our creative works and intellectual pursuits for years to come.

What Are the Penalties for Using Copyrighted Audio without Permission?

There are a variety of penalties that you may face if you use copyrighted audio without permission. The rights to the music belong to the artist or copyright holder, and they have the legal right to take action against anyone who uses their work without permission.

Depending on the severity of the infringement, you could be looking at a civil suit, damages, and even jail time.

For example, Beyoncé famously sued Fidelity Investment Services for using a five-second clip of her song “Run the World (Girls)” in one of their ads.

The company eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. However, if Beyoncé had contested the case in court, she could have been awarded hundreds of thousands or millions in damages under US copyright law.

In another example, a man in the UK was recently sentenced to six months in jail for illegally downloading music.

While this may seem like a harsh penalty, it serves as a reminder that copyright infringement is a serious offense with real-world consequences.

If someone uses copyrighted audio without permission, the penalties can range from a slap on the wrist to a felony charge and up to $250,000 in fines.

How Can You Find Royalty-Free Music to Use in Your Content?

The safest way to use music online that you do not own, is to find music that is royalty-free. This means that the artist has waived their rights to the music and you are free to use it without penalty.

There are a number of ways to find royalty-free music, but one of the simplest is to do a search on Google.

Just type in “royalty-free music” and you'll find a number of websites that offer free, downloadable tracks.

Another way to find royalty-free music is to purchase a license from a site like AudioJungle.net

You can buy individual tracks or subscribe to a monthly plan that allows you to download an unlimited number of songs.

What Are Some Other Ways to Add Music to Your Videos without Infringing on Copyright Laws?”

One of the best ways to avoid copyright infringement is to create your own music. If you have a musical talent, this is a great way to add unique content to your videos without worrying about getting in trouble.

You can use a free music production tool and create your own tracks, or you can hire a musician to create something specifically for your project.

Another option is to use public domain music. This is music that is no longer under copyright protection and can be used without permission.

There are a number of websites that offer public domain music, so do some research and see if this is an option for you.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a number of ways to add music to your videos without infringing on copyright laws. Be sure to do your research and choose the option that is best for you. I hope this article has been helpful!

Thanks for reading!

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