As content creators know all too well, there are legal consequences for failing to properly license music on YouTube and other streaming sites, including having your soundtrack silenced or the entire work removed.

YouTube requires that when you add music to your video, you own the rights to it or acquire the legal license from the song’s creator. And “music” isn’t just musical tracks but includes sound effects as well. Music for commercial use means you have the legal right or license to use the music in your work. But what matters most when are the restrictions placed on that music, or how you’re allowed to use it.

Why do you need a license?Īlmost all music is copyrighted. In the case of music, it means using music in videos whose ultimate goal of that activity is to increase sales.Īs such, you’ll need to make sure to purchase the right commercial licensing agreement for any piece of music you’re interested in using.Īlthough commercial use also extends to offline activities, the scope of this article deals with online music use. What is commercial use?Ĭommercial use relates to any use of a product or service for financial gain. Even if you’re not directly selling a product, you’ll need a license to use copyrighted music in your works. That’s why you need music for commercial use. All of these require music and sometimes sound effects, whether for background music beds or upfront in your soundtrack or score. Or maybe you’re a live streaming gamer on Twitch. You may be one of them, crafting epic travel videos, entertaining podcasts, an instructional series, or comedic YouTube episodes.

Sound effects free commercial use