YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing platform founded in 2005. With billions of users around the world, this platform allows users to experience a variety of services from entertainment videos, short films, news… and music is one of the most popular services on the platform. However, musical works or songs are one of the protected subjects of the Intellectual Property Law, as well as protected by YouTube. Therefore, to avoid copyright infringement, the article below will highlight the fastest ways to apply for music copyright permission on the YouTube platform.
1. What is copyright for musical works?
Copyright for musical works is a form of copyright in general, specified in Clause 2, Article 4 of the Intellectual Property Law as follows: “Copyright is the right of organizations and individuals to the work.” According to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 6, Decree No. 17/2023/ND-CP guiding the Law on Intellectual Property, “4. Musical works specified in Point d, Clause 1, Article 14 of the Intellectual Property Law are works expressed in the form of notes in music or other musical characters regardless of whether they are performed or not”. Therefore, it can be understood that musical works do not necessarily have to be expressed in tangible form as notes and musical characters, but can also be expressed in sound form, and are not required to be performed to act.
When a song is introduced to the public, that song is the creative result of the Musician (person who composes the musical work), the performer or presenter of the work (singer, musician,…), and Music Producers (audio recording, video recording of performances). Accordingly, Vietnamese intellectual property law protects copyright for organizations and individuals who create or own musical works and protects rights related to copyright for organizations and individuals who create or own musical works with performances, audio recordings, and video recordings.
Copyright for musical works is the scope of rights of the copyright owner and the author of musical works recognized and protected by law, including rights already owned by law intellectual recognition. The legal relationship of copyright to musical works is an absolute civil legal relationship between the subjects of copyright to musical works and the remaining subjects in society who have obligations to respect the rights of rights bearers.
2. Basis for arising copyright for musical works
Copyright in musical works is based on a series of rules that protect the work and protect copyright. In most countries, copyright in a musical work arises automatically when the work is created and recorded in a particular medium.
According to the provisions of the current Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law, copyright for musical works arises from the time the work is created; and is expressed in a certain material form; regardless of content or quality; form, means, language; published or not published; registered or not registered.
3. How to apply for music copyright permission on YouTube
YouTube is a large platform with very strict music copyright regulations to protect the rights and interests of creators, authors, or copyright owners. The proof is that YouTube provides three different ways to protect authors: Forms, Copyright Match Tool, and Content ID.
Obtaining music copyright permission is important to comply with copyright laws and avoid legal consequences on YouTube. Always refer to the license document and agreement before using music, and comply with the terms specified. Therefore, to apply for music copyright permission to use on YouTube, several ways can be applied as follows:
- Contact the copyright owner directly: The most common way is to find out who owns the music copyright and contact them directly. You can email or find contact information on their website, or via social media if they have a presence there. Clearly describe your purpose and how you want to use the music.
- Use music copyright management services (Music Licensing Services): There are music copyright management services such as SoundExchange, BMI, ASCAP, and SOCAN (depending on the country) that you can contact for permission and collect track usage fees. They can help you find out who owns and manages the usage rights.
- Use free or licensed music: Several free music sources on YouTube or websites specialize in providing free music with clear usage licenses. Note that you must comply with the license terms when using this music.
- Find music that uses a Creative Commons license: If you want to find music to use without having to pay a fee or get a separate license, you can search for music that has a Creative Commons license on sites like Creative Commons Music or Free Music Archive. However, you must still comply with the terms of the license.
- Use YouTube music library: YouTube offers a free music library to video creators on their platform. You can use music from this library in your videos without worrying about asking for separate permission.
Above is the article: “The quickest way to get copyright permission for YouTube music?”. Hope this article will help you.
