What is Copyright Infringement Song Streaming Service?

Wondering if you can legally use your favorite song in a YouTube video, podcast, or livestream? This article explains music copyright, how infringement happens on platforms, and how to use music legally and ethically.

You’ll also learn key music rights, platform licenses, and practical steps to stay compliant. Book the number one corporate event DJ, Will Gill, for a compliant and unforgettable music experience. He has over 2,000 five-star reviews to support his outstanding reputation.

Watch the video below to see Will Gill on stage.

Understanding Music Copyright Basics

Before we dive into infringement, let’s clarify what copyright means in the music world. Copyright grants creators exclusive control over the use and distribution of their work. For a song, this isn’t just one right; it’s a bundle of rights.

Every recorded song has two primary copyrights:

1. The Musical Composition: This refers to the song itself—the melody, chords, and lyrics. It is owned by the songwriter(s) and their music publisher.
2. The Sound Recording: This is the specific “master” version of that song you hear. It’s owned by the recording artist and their record label.

Think of it this way: when Frank Sinatra sings “My Way,” he and his label own the rights to that specific recording. Paul Anka, who wrote the English lyrics, and his publisher own the rights to the underlying song. To use Sinatra’s version, you often need permission from both parties. This distinction is critical to understanding how infringement occurs.

How Does Infringement Happen on Streaming Platforms?

Copyright infringement is using a copyrighted song without proper permission. Despite big licensing fees, infringement remains widespread—especially in user-generated content.

Here are the most common ways it happens:

• Unauthorized Uploads: A user uploads a song to a platform like SoundCloud or YouTube without any rights to do so. This is a direct infringement of both the composition and the sound recording.
• Sampling Without a License: A producer takes a small piece (a sample) of a copyrighted song and uses it in their own beat. Without clearing both the master and composition rights, this is infringement, no matter how short the sample is.
• Using Songs in Podcasts or Video: You use a popular song in your podcast intro or YouTube video. Without a specific “synchronization” license, this is infringement.
• Public Performance Without Rights: A DJ live-streams a set on Twitch or YouTube, playing popular tracks. This constitutes a public performance, which requires licenses that a standard user account does not have.

The Role of Rights Holders and Organizations

Navigating music rights means knowing who to ask for permission. Several key players own and manage these rights:

• Songwriters and Publishers: They control the composition copyright.
• Recording Artists and Record Labels: They control the sound recording (master) copyright.
• Performing Rights Organizations (PROs): US groups like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC collect public-play royalties for songwriters and publishers. This includes radio, TV, restaurants, and digital streams.

What is copyright infringement songs streaming service and how do platforms handle it?

Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music are built on complex licensing agreements. They negotiate directly with labels, publishers, and PROs to legally stream music to their subscribers. These licenses cover specific uses.

Licenses Streaming Services Secure

• Performance License: Allows the service to “publicly perform” the song by streaming it to users.
• Mechanical License: Lets the service make copies for servers and offline downloads.
• Interactive vs. Non-Interactive: Interactive services like Spotify Premium allow on-demand songs and need pricier licenses. Non-interactive services (like Pandora’s free radio) don’t let you choose specific songs and have different licensing rates.

However, these licenses only cover listening on the platform. They do not give you, the user, the right to take that music and use it in your own content.

How Platforms Detect and Handle Infringement

To protect themselves and respect copyright law, platforms use sophisticated systems:

• Content ID and Fingerprinting: Major platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud use automated systems that “scan” uploaded content. They compare audio and video against a massive database of copyrighted works submitted by rights holders.
• DMCA Takedown Notices: The DMCA lets owners request the removal of infringing content. When a platform receives a valid takedown notice, it must remove the material.
• Strikes and Penalties: If your content is flagged, you might receive a copyright strike. On YouTube, for example, three strikes can lead to the termination of your channel.
• Monetization Impacts: Rights holders can choose what happens when their music is detected in your video. They can block the video, mute the audio, or—most commonly—run ads on your video and take the revenue.
• Repeat Infringer Policies: All services have policies to ban users who repeatedly violate copyright rules.

How to Avoid Copyright Infringement: A Practical Guide

Staying compliant isn’t about avoiding music altogether. It’s about using it correctly. Here are actionable steps you can take to avoid copyright issues.

1. Use Royalty-Free Music Libraries: Services like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Soundstripe offer vast catalogs of high-quality music. You pay a subscription fee for a license to use their music in your content, worry-free.
2. Rely on Platform-Provided Libraries: YouTube and TikTok offer pre-cleared audio libraries for their platforms. Just be sure to read the terms—the license may not apply if you download the video and post it elsewhere.
3. Obtain a Synchronization (Sync) License: Get a sync license to use a specific commercial song in a video. You must negotiate this directly with the publisher (for the composition) and the record label (for the master recording). This can be a complex and expensive process.
4. Explore Creative Commons (CC) Licenses: Some artists use Creative Commons licenses, allowing free use with conditions. Always check the specific CC license terms—most require attribution (giving credit), and some prohibit commercial use.
5. Get Written Permission: Working with an independent artist? You may get permission directly. Always get it in writing. An email confirmation is better than a verbal agreement.
6. Keep Records: Whatever path you choose, keep detailed records of your licenses, permissions, and the source of your music. This documentation can be invaluable if a dispute ever arises.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. If I buy a song on iTunes, can I use it in my YouTube video?
No. Purchasing a song only grants you a license for personal listening. It does not give you the right to broadcast it or synchronize it with video. You would still need a separate sync license.

2. What if I only use 10 seconds of a song? Is that fair use?
No. There is no “10-second rule” or any other magic number. Any unauthorized use of a copyrighted work, regardless of length, can be considered infringement. Fair use is complex and rarely applies to using popular music in vlogs or podcasts.

3. Does giving credit to the artist protect me from infringement?
No. While giving credit is a good ethical practice, it does not substitute for a license. You still need legal permission from the rights holders to use their music.

4. Can I get in trouble for using copyrighted music in an Instagram Story?
It’s complicated. Instagram’s music library is licensed for use within the platform (e.g., Reels, Stories). If you upload a video edited outside the app with unlicensed music, it may still be flagged and removed.

5. What happens if I use a cover song instead of the original?
Using a cover song can be just as tricky. While the person who recorded the cover owns their sound recording, the original songwriter still owns the composition. You would need permission from the songwriter’s publisher in addition to permission from the cover artist.