How to Use Music in Videos Legally

Whether you’re making video ads for a local business or working on a major motion picture, you need to have the legal rights to use all of the audio tracks featured in your project. Without legal permission from the rights holder, your work risks being taken down, blocked from distribution, or flagged with copyright claims. No one wants to find themselves or their team scrambling to fix licensing issues after a release, so whether you’re a freelance content creator, a game developer, or a music director, it’s crucial to know the ins and outs of music licensing.

Universal Production Music helps creators both established and emerging find and license the music they need to bring their vision to life. Learn about our licensing solutions and read on to find out how to use music in your videos the right way.

What Is Copyrighted Music?

Copyrighted music is music that is legally protected by copyright law. As soon as a piece of music is created and fixed in a tangible form (like a recording or a sheet of music), it is automatically copyrighted. That means the creator—whether it’s a composer, songwriter, artist, or music publisher—owns exclusive rights to how that music is used.

Using copyrighted music in a video without securing the proper license (a “sync license”) is a copyright infringement—even if you only use a few seconds, or you credit the artist, or the track was “found on the internet.”

This is why platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok use automated systems to detect copyrighted music. If your video uses unlicensed music, it can be muted, taken down, or demonetized. Worse, you could face a copyright strike or legal action from the rights holder.

The good news? Licensing music doesn’t have to be confusing or costly. At Universal Production Music, we make it easy to find high-quality, fully-cleared music for your content, so you can focus on creating without the legal headaches. Register to access a library of high-quality tracks.

What Do You Have to Do to Use Copyrighted Music Legally?

If you want to use music in your content—whether it’s an ad, podcast, web series, film, or any other type of video—you need legal permission to do so. That means securing the appropriate license from the copyright holder.

You can create the soundtrack yourself and give yourself permission to use it. But let’s be real: writing, performing, recording, and mixing music takes time, talent, and equipment most video producers don’t have—or don’t want to manage on top of everything else.

If you want to use music created by someone else, you typically need to contact multiple rights holders (composer, publisher, sometimes a record label) and negotiate usage terms. This process can be expensive, time-consuming, and often unworkable for fast-moving productions or smaller budgets.

Find High-Quality, Pre-Cleared Syncs at Universal Production Music

At Universal Production Music, we make it easy to use music legally and confidently. We own or control all rights to our catalog, so you get access to pre-cleared tracks, full indemnification, and expert licensing support. No chasing down rights holders. No copyright guesswork.

We offer flexible licensing options based on your production type, usage needs, and budget:

• Needle Drop / Pay-Per-Use License - License individual tracks for a specific production or episode—ideal for one-off projects.
• Production Agreement - Use multiple tracks in a single production or series under one agreement, simplifying budgeting and usage.
• Blanket License - Access unlimited downloads and use across multiple projects during a set term (monthly, annual, multi-year). Great for high-volume content producers.
• Podcast Music License - Tailored licenses for podcast intros, outros, transitions, and background music, ensuring full compliance across platforms.
• Custom Music License - Need something unique? We’ll work with you to create a bespoke license for ad campaigns, trailers, games, or hybrid media.

Whether you’re producing a single video or an entire series, we’ll help you find the right license to match your vision and your distribution needs. Browse our library today and discover the right sound for your next production.

Common Misconceptions About Music Usage Rights

There are several misconceptions about music usage rights that can lead to legal issues or unexpected costs. Here are some of the most common:

1. "I bought the song, so I can use it in my project."

Purchasing a song on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube Music does not grant you the rights to use it in a production. You need a sync license for that.

2. "I found it online, so it’s free to use."

Just because a track is on YouTube, SoundCloud, or stock sites doesn’t mean it’s legally free to use. Even “Creative Commons” music can have restrictions.

3. "I only used a few seconds, so it’s fine."

There’s no universal “safe” duration for using copyrighted music without permission. Even a few seconds require a sync license.

4. "If I modify the song, I don’t need a license."

Editing, remixing, or altering a song doesn’t bypass copyright laws. You still need permission.

5. "Background music doesn’t require a license."

Even if music is faint in the background of a film, podcast, or ad, you still need the proper licensing.

6. "All music licensing works the same way."

Music licensing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and different uses require different types of licenses. For example:

• Sync licenses are required when pairing music with visuals (like in a video, film, or ad).

• Mechanical licenses cover the reproduction of music, such as streaming, downloads, or physical formats. Learn more about what a mechanical music license is.

• Public Performance licenses are for playing music in public spaces or on broadcast platforms.

• Master Use licenses grant the rights to use a specific recording of a song.

What If I’m Not Able to Get the Rights to the Music I Want to Use?

If you can’t secure the rights to a track you really want, one option is to look for alternatives through Creative Commons or public domain music databases. While these can be useful for certain projects, they come with limitations. Creative Commons tracks may restrict commercial use or require attribution, and public domain options are generally limited in both catalog size and musical variety. You may also run into challenges finding high-quality recordings or modern styles that match today’s production standards.

Another option is to browse the vast library at Universal Production Music and find everything from lush ambient soundscapes to heavy metal riffs, propulsive hip hop beats to gentle acoustic pop, soaring classical scores, and much more.

AI Similarity Search Tool, Curated Playlists, and More

Do you have a hit song in your head that would be perfect for your video, but the licensing costs are out of reach, or you’re not even sure how to contact the rights holders? Our AI-powered Similarity Search can match the vibe, tone, and energy of the track you originally wanted with options from our extensive, pre-cleared catalog.

You can also explore our curated playlists by mood, genre, instrumentation, or theme—ideal when you need fresh inspiration or want to compare creative directions.

Still not sure what you’re looking for? Our Music Directors are here to help. They have deep knowledge of our entire catalog and will work closely with you to understand your project’s tone, timeline, and creative direction. From there, they’ll make personalized track suggestions based on your project’s unique needs.

Once you find the right sync, we’ll walk you through the steps of licensing the song.

Check out ways to license music for commercials, TV shows, podcasts, and more. Start exploring our catalog today and license music with confidence.