Playing Music Without Copyright: Creative Commons, Royalty Free, and Public Domain Music

Introduction

Copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of a piece of work exclusive rights to reproduce, display, perform, and create derivatives of the original work. It is important for streamers to recognize and abide by copyright laws when playing music in their streams, as a failure to do so could result in significant financial penalties or even criminal prosecution.

Streamers often face the challenge of finding music to play that does not infringe on copyright law. Fortunately, there are several ways to legally play music in their streams without infringing on copyrights.

Utilize Creative Commons Music

Creative Commons (CC) music is a type of license that allows the owner of a creative work, such as a song, to grant permission to others to use and share their work subject to certain conditions. The CC license outlines what types of uses are allowed and which are prohibited. For example, some CC licenses may allow for the work to be used for commercial purposes while others may not.

Using Creative Commons music can be beneficial for streamers as it allows them to use music without having to pay licensing fees or obtain permission from the copyright owners. Additionally, it can help streamers to support independent musicians and to promote their own brand. Furthermore, Creative Commons music can be easily found with a simple search online.

Make Use of Royalty Free Music

Royalty free (RF) music is a type of license that allows the user to purchase a piece of music once and use it multiple times without having to pay additional royalties. RF music is typically sold in collections and can be found online from various sources. Purchasing RF music can be beneficial for streamers as it eliminates the need to obtain permission from copyright owners or pay licensing fees for each use.

When purchasing RF music, it is important for streamers to ensure they read the terms of the license carefully and understand how the music can and cannot be used. Additionally, streamers should make sure they purchase RF music from a reputable source to avoid any potential copyright issues.

Compose Your Own Music

Composing your own music is another option for streamers who want to avoid copyright infringement. While this may seem daunting at first, with practice and dedication, composing your own music can be rewarding and help you to develop your own unique sound. There are numerous tools available online to help streamers compose their own music, such as software programs and tutorials.

When composing your own music, it is important to remember to use original material. If you are inspired by existing songs or pieces of music, be sure to make changes to the melody and structure so that the end result is distinctively different from the original.

Utilize Public Domain Music

Public domain (PD) music is music that is not protected by copyright and can be freely used by anyone. PD music typically includes traditional folk songs, classical works, and other works whose copyright has expired. PD music can be beneficial for streamers as it can be used without obtaining permission from copyright owners or paying licensing fees.

Finding PD music can be tricky, however, as not all sources of music will explicitly state whether or not the music is in the public domain. To find PD music, it is best to do research and look for websites that specialize in providing PD music. Additionally, many libraries and archives contain collections of PD music.

Use Copyrighted Music Legally

In some cases, streamers may decide to use copyrighted music in their streams. In these cases, it is important for streamers to obtain permission from the copyright owners prior to using the music. Obtaining permission can be time consuming and costly, but is essential to ensure the streamer is not in violation of copyright law.

To obtain permission, the streamer must contact the copyright owner and ask for permission to use the music. Depending on the copyright owner, they may require the streamer to pay licensing fees or other costs associated with granting permission. Once permission has been granted, the streamer can then use the music without fear of copyright infringement.

Conclusion

Streamers should take the necessary steps to ensure they are not in violation of copyright law when playing music in their streams. This can be achieved by utilizing Creative Commons, royalty free, and public domain music, as well as by composing their own music or obtaining permission from copyright owners. By following these steps, streamers can feel confident that their streams are in compliance with copyright law.