Author: Editor VCD

In the process of exploiting and using music for communication, business, or entertainment purposes, a music copyright license is an important legal basis that helps individuals and organizations use the work legally. Lack of understanding or neglecting the licensing procedure can lead to the risk of copyright infringement and legal penalties. This article will provide detailed information about music copyright licenses.

What is a music copyright license?

A music copyright license is a legal document issued by the copyright owner or their legally authorized representative to another individual or organization, permitting the use of a musical work within the agreed scope, purpose, duration, and form.

According to Vietnam’s Intellectual Property Law, music is a copyrighted work, including: songs, instrumental music, arrangements, beats, sound and video recordings, etc. The use of these works for commercial exploitation or widespread distribution requires a legal music copyright license, except for certain exceptions as stipulated by law.

When is a music copyright license required?

Not all uses of music require a license; however, in practice, most music exploitation activities require a license, especially when there is a commercial element. Some common cases requiring a music copyright license include:

Using music on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook

• Adding music to publicly uploaded videos

• Livestreaming with background music

• Advertising videos, product and brand introductions

Without a license, videos may be subject to copyright claims/strikes, monetization may be disabled, or they may be removed from the platform.

Playing music at business locations

• Cafes, restaurants, hotels

• Spas, gyms, shopping malls

• Cinemas, amusement parks

Even if only background music is played, business owners must still obtain a license and pay royalties as required.

Organizing events, performances, and art programs

• Live music shows

• Corporate events, opening ceremonies

• Ticketed or sponsored performances

• Using music in films, TV commercials, and advertisements

• Television and online advertising

• Corporate introductory videos

• Short films, feature films, documentaries

Procedures for applying for music copyright licenses

In reality, the licensing process is not overly complicated, but it requires the applicant to correctly identify the type of rights to be applied for, the correct licensing authority, and provide complete information about the scope of music use. Below is the process for applying for a music copyright license, helping you easily understand and comply with current legal regulations.

Step 1: Identify the work and rights to be applied for

• Song title, author

• Form of use (online distribution, performance, advertising, etc.)

• Scope, duration, and territory of use

Step 2: Contact the owner or representative

Submit a licensing request with detailed information about the purpose of exploiting the music.

Step 3: Agree on copyright fees

The fee for registering a music copyright license depends on the following factors:

• Type of use

• Duration of use

• Scale of exploitation

• Commercial nature

Step 4: Sign the contract and receive the license

After paying the fee, the user will be granted a legal music copyright license or a copyright licensing agreement.

Timeframe for issuing music copyright licenses

According to Clause 15, Article 1 of the 2022 Intellectual Property Law, the processing time for copyright and related rights registration applications is specifically stipulated as follows:

• Within 15 working days from the date the competent state agency receives a complete and valid application, the applicant will be granted a certificate of copyright or related rights registration.

• In case of refusal to issue the certificate, the competent agency is responsible for notifying the applicant in writing and clearly stating the reasons for not approving the certificate in accordance with the law.

Validity of music copyright licenses

The certificate of copyright or related rights registration is legally valid throughout the entire territory of Vietnam, without being limited by locality or place of issuance. This document is an important basis for confirming legal ownership of musical works and protecting the rights of authors and owners in case of disputes.

For certificates issued before the effective date of the amended and supplemented Intellectual Property Law, they continue to be recognized and retain their legal validity according to current regulations; no re-registration procedure is required.

The above article, “Music copyright license,” helps you understand the legal regulations related to the use and exploitation of musical works. Proactively obtaining a complete copyright license not only helps avoid the risk of penalties but also ensures your legal rights throughout the usage process.

Sincerely,

FAQ

As music spreads rapidly online, registering song copyrights online has become an effective solution for authors to proactively establish their copyright and minimize the risk of copyright infringement. Let’s explore how to register song copyrights online in this article!

Reasons to register song copyrights online?

In the context of music being created, shared, and exploited increasingly on digital platforms, registering song copyrights online is not only a solution to protect the author’s rights but also a necessary step to assert legal ownership of the work from the outset.

• Quickly Protect Author’s Rights: Registering song copyrights online helps establish authorship officially, creating a clear legal basis to protect creative work against the risk of unauthorized copying and use.

• Saves time and costs: Compared to submitting applications in person, online registration significantly reduces travel time, allows for proactive preparation of documents, and provides convenient tracking of the processing progress.

• Strong legal evidence in case of disputes: A copyright registration certificate is crucial evidence to prove ownership of a song in case of disputes, complaints, or copyright infringement.

• Facilitates commercial exploitation of the song: Copyright registration makes it easier for authors and owners to transfer, license, and collect royalties from digital platforms, performance programs, or music exploitation entities.

• Reduces the risk of copyright infringement: Early registration helps prevent others from registering or claiming ownership of your song, especially in the digital environment.

• In line with the trend of digitizing administrative procedures: The online registration method aligns with the digitalization trend, allowing authors in all provinces and cities to complete the procedure quickly, transparently, and conveniently.

Conditions for online song copyright registration

For the application to be accepted and a certificate issued, the applicant must meet all the conditions for online song copyright registration as stipulated by current law.

• The song must be a legally created musical work, either directly composed by the applicant or legally transferred, and must not infringe on the copyright of a third party.

• The applicant must possess the copyright or legal ownership of the song.

• The work must be expressed in a physical form such as sheet music, lyrics, or sound recording.

• The online registration application must be complete, accurate, and consistent with the paper application submitted to the Copyright Office.

• The applicant must follow the correct procedures and pay all required fees.

Meeting all the above conditions will help ensure that online song copyright registration is quick and valid.

Online song copyright registration application documents

Currently, online copyright registration for musical works is considered a step in the overall copyright registration process. Therefore, online applications must be prepared completely, accurately, and must match the paper application submitted to the Copyright Office. If the application is inconsistent or lacks required documents, the review process may be delayed or rejected.

Typically, a complete application for copyright registration of a musical work will include:

• Copyright registration application form;

• Copyright commitment letter;

• Copies of legal documents of the author or copyright owner such as Citizen Identification Card/Passport; Business registration certificate; Establishment decision (for organizations);

• Decision assigning the task or confirmation document in cases where the work was created at the request or for an assigned task;

• Power of attorney if the applicant does not directly carry out the procedure;

• Other relevant documents used to prove legal ownership of the work.

All documents in the registration application must be in Vietnamese. If using documents in a foreign language, they must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized or certified according to regulations before submission.

Note: Musical works may be created by one or more people, and in some cases, the person directly composing is only an employee, not the copyright owner. Therefore, when registering copyright, it is necessary to clearly define the role of each party and prepare all corresponding legal documents. If the application is incomplete or inaccurate, the Copyright Office may refuse to accept or issue a Certificate of Copyright Registration.

Online song copyright registration process

To protect copyright quickly and conveniently, online song copyright registration must be carried out according to the procedures stipulated by the competent authority.

Step 1

Access the online public service portal at: dichvucong.bvhttdl.gov.vn.

On the system interface, select the processing agency as “Copyright Office”. A list of administrative procedures related to copyright will be displayed. The applicant selects the procedure “Issuance of Copyright Registration Certificate” and clicks “Submit Application”.

If you already have an account, log in to continue filling out the form; if you do not have an account, you need to register a new account according to the system’s instructions.

Step 2

After logging in, the system will return to the homepage. The applicant continues to select

Copyright Office, select the procedure “Issuance of Copyright Registration Certificate” and proceed to declare the application information. The information to be filled in includes:

• Identifying the applicant as an individual or organization;

• Legal documents: Citizen Identification Card/National Identity Card/Passport (for individuals) or Business Registration Certificate (for organizations);

• Contact information: address, phone number, email.

Step 3

Select the “Enter registration details” function and declare the information related to the musical work, including:

• Title of the musical work;

• Author’s name;

• Copyright owner.

Step 4

Attach the registration documents as required for each type of application. Necessary documents will be uploaded to the system as electronic files. If additional documents are required, the applicant can select “Add documents” to complete the application.

Step 5

After attaching the documents, choose the method of submitting the application and receiving the results. The applicant can choose:

• Receive the results directly at the Copyright Office; or

• Receive the results by mail and provide a specific delivery address.

Step 6

Review all the information you have entered, select “Submit Application” to complete the online music copyright registration process.

Note: Although the registration is done online, the applicant still needs to submit the original application to the Copyright Office as required to be considered for the issuance of a Copyright Registration Certificate.

The above is basic information about “Online Song Copyright Registration” that VCD shares with you. Early registration not only protects creative value but also creates a solid legal foundation for the safe and effective exploitation, use, and commercialization of musical works.

Sincerely,

FAQ

Registering copyright for songs on YouTube not only helps authors assert ownership of their work but also serves as an important basis for protecting their rights in case of disputes or unauthorized copying. However, caution is needed when registering copyright for songs on YouTube to avoid violating policies and minimize the risk of counterclaims.

Procedure for registering song copyright on YouTube

Before registering on YouTube, you need to complete the copyright registration for your song according to Vietnamese law. The basic procedure includes submitting the registration documents to the receiving agency.

Song Copyright Registration Documents:

• Copyright Registration Application Form

• Copy of the author/owner’s identification document

• Sound recording, musical score, or lyrics

• Declaration that the work is original and not copied

• Power of Attorney (if submitted through a representative agency)

Receiving Authority:

• Copyright Office – Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

• Or representative offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang

After receiving the Copyright Registration Certificate, you will be legally eligible to proceed with the steps to register the song copyright on YouTube.

How to register song copyright on YouTube

To protect your legal rights to songs uploaded to YouTube, the owner needs to register the copyright according to the correct procedure. Below are the steps for registering song copyright on YouTube that are commonly applied today.

Step 1: Choose the appropriate copyright protection method

Currently, registering copyright for songs on YouTube can be done in two main ways, depending on the needs and conditions of the author or owner:

• Registering copyright through the usual procedure at the competent State agency (Copyright Office). This method helps establish copyright and related rights according to Vietnamese law.

• Registering copyright through YouTube’s policy via the Content ID system. This is a tool provided by YouTube to identify, manage, and exploit copyrighted music content on the platform.

In practice, many owners choose to combine both methods to ensure legal basis while effectively controlling and monetizing on YouTube.

Step 2: Prepare the necessary documents

Depending on the registration method, the required documents will vary. For registration under YouTube’s Content ID policy:

• Complete the registration form provided by YouTube or its Content ID partner;

• Provide the original audio file, author information, and copyright owner information.

For copyright registration under the standard procedure, the application for copyright registration of a song on YouTube includes:

• Copyright/related rights registration application form in Vietnamese, fully detailing the applicant, author, copyright owner, completion date of the work, summary of content, audio/video recording, responsibility commitment, etc. The application form must be signed or fingerprinted by the author or copyright owner;

• CD or storage device containing the song or video content to be registered;

• Power of attorney (if submitting the application through a representative);

• Written consent from co-owners (if any);

• Documents proving ownership, such as certificates of original creation, creative contracts, or contracts for the transfer or assignment of copyright.

Step 3: Submit the registration application

• For Content ID registration: After filling out the form completely, the owner only needs to submit the request for review on the system. The review process typically includes a certain number of videos on the YouTube channel and meeting the criteria set by YouTube’s policy. The review time depends on the platform’s internal procedures.

• For applications submitted to the Copyright Office: Applications are received and evaluated for the issuance of a Certificate of Copyright or Related Rights. The processing time is usually around 15 working days from the date the application is deemed valid.

Step 4: Receiving Results and Managing Copyright

After review:

• For Content ID, the YouTube channel or content will display a confirmation status. Videos using the song without permission may then be blocked, monitored, or revenue transferred to the owner according to the selected settings.

• For registrations under government procedures, the owner will receive a Certificate of Copyright/Related Rights Registration, which is an important legal basis for handling copyright infringement on YouTube and other platforms.

Things to note when registering copyright for songs on YouTube

When registering song copyright on YouTube, authors and copyright owners need to pay special attention to the following important issues to avoid legal risks and ensure their legitimate rights:

• Clearly distinguish between author’s copyright and YouTube copyright: Registering copyright with the Copyright Office establishes ownership rights under Vietnamese law, while YouTube’s Content ID system is merely a tool for managing and identifying content on the platform. Having a copyright certificate does not automatically mean the video will be protected or blocked from copying on YouTube if it is not properly registered or managed within the platform’s system.

• Ensure the song is legally owned or authorized by you: Only register copyright and file content claims on YouTube for songs where you are the author, co-author, or legal copyright owner. • If a song has multiple composers, arrangers, or production companies involved, clear documentation proving ownership is necessary to avoid disputes and counterclaims.

• Check for third-party content use: If the song uses beats, samples, background music, chord progressions, or arrangements purchased from audio libraries, carefully check the scope of usage rights. Many copyright claims on YouTube are still filed due to incomplete commercial exploitation or distribution rights.

• Provide accurate and consistent information: The title of the work, author’s name, publication date, copyright owner, etc., must be absolutely consistent when registering copyright and when declaring to YouTube. Inaccurate or inconsistent information can lead to the rejection of copyright verification requests or make dispute resolution difficult.

• Be cautious when submitting copyright claims: YouTube has a strict mechanism for handling false or abusive claims. If you submit a video removal request without clear grounds, your account may be warned or have its usage restricted. Therefore, you should only file a complaint when you have sufficient legal evidence proving ownership of the song.

• Keep complete records and evidence of copyright: Copyright registration certificates, transfer contracts, co-authorship agreements, original song files… are important documents that need to be carefully preserved. This will be the basis for protecting your rights in case of copyright disputes on YouTube.

The above are “Important notes when registering copyright for songs on YouTube that authors and copyright owners need to know before uploading their works to the digital platform.” If you still have questions about the procedures or need assistance with copyright registration and verification, authors should seek professional consulting services for accurate and safe guidance.

Sincerely,

FAQ

In the context of music being increasingly exploited on digital platforms, checking music copyright has become a crucial step to avoid unnecessary legal risks. So how do you check song copyright in Vietnam? This article from VCD will provide detailed instructions on how to check music copyright in the easiest and most accurate way.

What is music copyright?

According to Clause 2, Article 4 of the 2005 Intellectual Property Law, music copyright is the right of an organization or individual to a musical work created or owned by them. Copyright arises as soon as the work is expressed in a certain physical form, regardless of whether it has been published or registered.

Copyright for musical works is divided into two basic groups of rights: moral rights and property rights. According to Article 19 of the Intellectual Property Law, moral rights are inherent to the author, including the right to have their name credited when the work is used, the right to publish or permit the publication of the work, and the right to protect the integrity of the work, preventing others from modifying or abridging it in a way that affects the author’s reputation. Simultaneously, Article 20 stipulates property rights, allowing the author or owner to exploit the economic value of the musical work through forms such as transfer, licensing, public performance, or exploitation on media platforms. This is the basis for musical works to generate legitimate income for the creator.

In Vietnam, the Copyright Office under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the competent authority to manage and issue copyright registration certificates and is also the central point for searching music copyright information.

Why register music copyright?

In principle, copyright arises automatically when a work is created. However, registering music copyrights remains necessary and offers many important benefits.

• Confirming legal ownership: A copyright registration certificate is clear legal evidence confirming your ownership of the musical work, especially important in case of disputes.

• Easier commercial exploitation: Once copyright is registered, the work can be: licensed for use; transferred or assigned; and royalties collected from platforms and users. This provides a basis for protecting the economic interests of musicians, producers, and publishers.

• Reducing the risk of copyright infringement: Registration makes it easier to prove unauthorized copying or use, facilitates requests to remove infringing content, and increases the effectiveness of handling copyright complaints on digital platforms.

• Creating an advantage in dispute resolution: In case of disputes, copyright certificates shorten the time and cost of resolution, while enhancing the ability to protect legitimate rights.

The most detailed guide to searching for music copyrights

Searching for music copyrights in Vietnam is not just a simple technical operation; it also requires the person performing the search to have a thorough understanding of the copyright management system and related contacts. Below is the process for searching for music copyrights, compiled from current legal regulations and practical experience.

Step 1: Gather and identify information about the work

Before conducting the search, you need to prepare all the data related to the musical work, such as: song title, name of author or co-author, date of composition, date of publication (if any), and information on whether copyright has been registered. The more detailed the information provided, the higher the accuracy of the search and the more time it saves. In cases where the work has previously been registered with the Copyright Office, this information will be crucial for cross-referencing the records.

Step 2: Search at the copyright office

The Copyright Office is the state agency authorized to receive and manage copyright and related rights registration applications in Vietnam. Searchers can access information through the Office’s official website. However, if the online system is not fully supported or is under maintenance, you should proactively contact the Office directly via email or phone at their representative offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for specific guidance. Direct communication ensures a faster and more accurate search process.

Step 3: Check data at the VCPMC Center

The Vietnam Copyright Protection Center for Music (VCPMC) is the only unit in Vietnam authorized to collectively manage music copyrights under authorization. For works authorized by the author or owner to VCPMC, you can look up information through the Center’s online system. After logging in, users access the catalog of authorized works to check the copyright status. If you do not have an account, you need to contact VCPMC directly for assistance in obtaining access to the system.

Step 4: Compare, verify, and store the search results

Once you have the results, carefully review important information such as: Author’s name, copyright owner, scope of protected rights, and protection period. According to Article 27 of the 2022 Intellectual Property Law, copyright for musical works is protected throughout the author’s lifetime and for an additional 50 years from the year of the author’s death. All search results should be fully stored for legal use, signing exploitation contracts, or as a basis for resolving future disputes.

The above is the complete content on “How to search for music copyright,” helping you understand the concept, search process, and legal issues when using musical works. Proactively checking copyright not only helps protect the legal rights and interests of authors and owners but also minimizes the risk of infringement during the exploitation and use of works.

Sincerely,