Tips · Music
Which music can I use in my business video?
Your favourite song from the radio is quick to add – and quick to cause trouble. Here’s how to find music you’re allowed to use in your business video.
In short
Music is almost always protected by copyright. If you use it in a video for your business, you need a usage right that covers exactly this purpose: commercial use, publishing online and – if you plan to – paid promotion of the video.
Why the hit from the radio is tricky
Well-known songs belong to music publishers and record labels. Buying or streaming a song only lets you listen to it, not use it in your own video. For business videos you usually need a separate agreement with the rights holders – for small businesses that is usually too expensive and too much effort.
Music from the platforms themselves
Instagram, TikTok and YouTube offer their own music. For business accounts the choice is often limited, and the terms usually only apply within that platform. If you want to show the same video on your website, in an ad or on another platform, read the terms carefully. Platforms change their rules and music libraries regularly.
Music libraries and your own music
There are providers where you can get music for videos. What matters is what the terms of use say:
- Is commercial use allowed?
- Does the permission cover all the platforms you want to publish on?
- Can you promote the video as an ad?
- Does the permission still cover videos you have already published after a subscription ends?
- What do you do if an automatic music detection system flags your video?
By the way, “free” doesn’t automatically mean “allowed for everything”. Free music can come with conditions too, such as giving credit.
And if a platform flags my video?
Automatic detection systems such as YouTube Content ID compare music with stored recordings. They can get it wrong, too. In most cases you can dispute the claim directly on the platform. It helps to have proof of where the music comes from and under which terms you use it.
Make it easy for yourself
- Use music from a source with clear, written terms.
- Save proof for every track (a link or a copy of the terms).
- For videos with speech: an instrumental track is better, so people can understand you clearly.
Music in Fipsta
In Fipsta, music is included. You may use the tracks within the terms of use in the videos you make with Fipsta – privately and commercially, including paid promotion of these videos. Every track has a preview and its own usage record on the music page, which you can link to if you dispute a claim.
This article gives a general overview and is not legal advice. If in doubt, get professional advice, for example from a lawyer or your chamber of crafts or commerce (Kammer).