Posting a video on Facebook with copyrighted song can be a tricky process if you don’t know the platform’s rules. Knowing how to post a video on Facebook with copyrighted music is essential for content creators who want to enhance their videos with high-quality audio tracks without facing legal complications.

When using copyrighted song, it’s essential to ensure that you have the proper legal rights, whether it’s for original songs or cover songs.

Without the necessary permissions, your video may be muted, removed, or lead to penalties. However, there are ways to use songs without hassle, such as licensing music, using royalty-free music, or accessing Facebook’s Sound Collection.

This guide will walk you through the steps to legally incorporate copyrighted song into your Facebook videos, ensuring you stay compliant while still delivering an engaging and professional video experience.

What is Copyright Music?

Copyright music refers to any musical composition or sound recording that is protected under copyright law.

The moment a piece of music is created and recorded, it is automatically granted copyright protection, which gives the creator exclusive rights over how the music is used, distributed, reproduced, or performed. This protection ensures that artists and producers can control their work and receive compensation when others want to use their music.

Under copyright law, using copyrighted music without permission from the rights holder—typically the artist, composer, record label, or publisher—can lead to legal consequences. These can range from a simple removal of the content to lawsuits and fines.

What Are My Music Options for Facebook?

When posting videos on Facebook, there are several music options available to ensure you comply with copyright laws and avoid having your content removed or muted. Here are the primary options:

Facebook Sound Collection

Facebook offers a Sound Collection of free, royalty-free music and sound effects that you can legally use in your videos. This is the safest option as all music in this collection is pre-cleared for use on Facebook and Instagram.

You can browse tracks by genre, mood, length, and instrument to find the perfect fit for your video.

Royalty-Free Music

There are various websites offering royalty-free music, which allows you to pay a one-time fee or sometimes even download tracks for free to use in your content without ongoing royalties. Popular platforms include:

• Epidemic Sound
• Artlist
• AudioJungle
• Bensound

Royalty-free music ensures you don’t have to worry about copyright claims, and these platforms often offer music specifically licensed for social media use.

License Music from a Distributor

If you want to use popular or commercial music, you can legally do so by obtaining a license from a music distributor or licensing company.

Platforms like APM Music or BMI can provide licenses for using copyrighted songs in your videos. Some licenses might be more expensive depending on the artist or song, but this will ensure your video complies with copyright rules.

Create Your Own Music

You can also compose or create your own song for your videos. Whether you use music software or collaborate with independent musicians, this ensures full ownership of the music, allowing you to post without worrying about copyright issues.

Public Domain Music

Music that has fallen into the public domain is free for anyone to use without obtaining permission. This typically includes classical pieces, folk songs, or tracks where the copyright has expired.

Where Can Music Be Used on Facebook?

Music can be used in a variety of places on Facebook, but it’s essential to follow the platform’s copyright rules to avoid issues like muting or content removal. Here’s where and how songs can be used on this social media platform:

Facebook Posts

You can add music to your regular posts, such as videos, stories, and live streams. If you use music, it must either be:

• Royalty-free, from sources like Facebook’s Sound Collection.
• Licensed for use by you (e.g., through music licensing platforms).
• Original music that you or others have composed.

Facebook Stories

In Facebook Stories, you can add song from Facebook’s music sticker feature, which provides access to licensed songs. This feature allows you to select tracks from Facebook’s library and add them to your photos or videos directly within the Story interface.

Facebook Live Videos

For live broadcasts, you can use music, but Facebook strongly advises that the song should not be the focus of the stream unless it’s from Facebook’s Sound Collection or you’re properly licensed to use it.

Using copyrighted music without permission during live videos can result in your stream being interrupted or taken down.

Facebook Reels

Similar to Stories, Facebook Reels allows you to add tune to short videos. You can use Facebook’s licensed music library, ensuring the tracks are pre-cleared for use. You simply select a song from the built-in music feature when creating the Reel.

Facebook Ads

If you’re creating advertisements or sponsored content on Facebook, you must have full rights or proper licensing for any song used.

Facebook ads must comply with strict copyright guidelines, and using unlicensed music can lead to ad rejection.

Why You Want to Use Music on Facebook Videos & Ads?

Using music in Facebook videos and ads offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your content’s engagement, emotional appeal, and overall effectiveness.

Here are the key reasons why you want to incorporate music in your Facebook videos and ads:

Enhances Emotional Appeal:

Music can evoke specific emotions and set the tone for your video or ad.

By selecting the right track, you can create an emotional connection with your audience, whether it’s excitement, happiness, nostalgia, or calmness. This emotional resonance makes your content more memorable and impactful, influencing how viewers feel about your message or brand.

Increases Engagement:

Music can grab attention and keep viewers engaged for longer.

A well-chosen soundtrack helps maintain viewer interest and encourages them to watch the video to the end. This can lead to higher engagement metrics, such as likes, shares, and comments, making your content more likely to spread organically across the platform.

Improves Branding:

Music is a powerful tool for brand identity. Consistently using a specific style or genre of music in your ads can reinforce your brand’s personality.

Over time, the songs you choose can become part of your brand’s signature style, helping viewers recognise your content instantly. This enhances brand recall and strengthens your overall marketing strategy.

Creates a Professional Atmosphere: 

Adding background music or sound effects gives your video a polished, professional feel. It helps smooth out transitions, fills in gaps in dialogue or narration, and makes your content more cohesive.

Professional-sounding ads or videos can boost your brand’s credibility and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Sets the Pace and Rhythm: 

Music can control the pace and flow of your video. Fast, upbeat tracks can convey energy and urgency, making your content feel dynamic, while slower, more melodic tune creates a relaxed atmosphere. This control over rhythm allows you to guide how viewers perceive the pace of your message, making it more effective and persuasive.

Strengthens Message Delivery:

By pairing your message with the right music, you can amplify its impact. Music can underline the themes and messages in your ad or video, helping viewers better understand and retain your content.

For example, inspirational music can make a motivational message more powerful, while light, playful tunes can make humor more effective.

Increases Memorability: 

A great soundtrack makes your ad or video more memorable. Viewers are more likely to recall an ad that features an appealing or catchy song, increasing the chances that they’ll remember your brand or message later. Music sticks in people’s minds, making it a valuable tool for ensuring your content is remembered.

Complements Visuals: 

Music adds another layer to your content, enhancing the overall experience. It complements your visual component, helping to emphasise important moments or transitions in the video.

The right soundtrack can synchronise with visuals to create a seamless and immersive experience that resonates with viewers.

How to Post a Video on Facebook with Copyrighted Music?

Use Facebook’s Sound Collection

Facebook offers a Sound Collection of royalty-free music and sound effects that can be used in videos without any copyright concerns.

You can search for tracks based on mood, genre, and duration to find the right fit for your video. By using this feature, you ensure that your content complies with Facebook’s copyright policies, preventing your video from being muted or taken down.

Simply select the desired track, download it, and add it to your video before uploading it to Facebook. This is the safest and easiest method for incorporating music into your videos without risking copyright infringement, as the tracks are pre-approved by Facebook for use on the platform.

Obtain Permission or License

If you want to use copyrighted music in your Facebook video, you can reach out to the rights holder for permission or purchase a license to use the track. Many music licensing platforms, like Epidemic Sound or Artlist, offer music licenses specifically for social media content.

By obtaining the proper license, you can legally add the original song to your video without worrying about copyright claim. Some artists and producers may also grant permission if asked directly, especially if you give them credit.

After securing permission, simply upload your video with the licensed track to Facebook, ensuring you have the necessary proof of licensing to avoid any future issues.

Use Short Clips

Another method is to use short clips of copyrighted music track, typically under 10 to 15 seconds.

Many platforms, including Facebook, are more lenient when it comes to using brief excerpts of songs, particularly if the clips are used for commentary, review, or educational purposes (which can fall under fair use). However, there is no guarantee that this will prevent copyright claims.

It’s important to keep the clip short and make sure that the music is not the central focus of the video. Always monitor the video after posting to ensure that it does not get flagged for copyright violation.

Transform the Music

You can use copyrighted music in your video if you significantly transform it, making it your own. For example, you might change the pitch, speed, or add your own sound effects, vocals, or remix the track. This may help you avoid automatic copyright detection systems, though it’s not foolproof.

By transforming the music, you’re making it less likely to be recognised as the original copyrighted material. However, this method should be used with caution, as the original owner could still file a copyright claim if they feel the transformation isn’t significant enough.

Rely on Fair Use

In certain situations, you can claim fair use when using copyrighted music in a Facebook video. Fair use applies when the music is used for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, or educational purposes.

For example, if you’re reviewing a song or using it to illustrate a point in an educational video files, you may be able to use short clips without needing permission. However, fair use is a legal defense and not a guaranteed exemption, so it’s important to understand the specific factors involved, such as the purpose of the use, the nature of the work, and the amount of the song used.

What’s Next?

Posting a video on Facebook with copyrighted music requires careful consideration of the licensing agreement to avoid legal issues.

Fortunately, there are a variety of options available, including using Copyright-Free Music, obtaining permission from the original creators of music, or selecting ideal music from Facebook’s Sound Collection.

Choosing the right background music pieces or a suitable background song can elevate your content, ensuring that it complements your message while adhering to copyright rules. If you wish to use copyrighted audio from video, securing the proper rights is important.

Bytescare Digital Protection offers comprehensive solutions for safeguarding your work across tangible mediums and digital platforms. Don’t wait—protect your copyright before issues arise. Book a demo with us today and ensure your creative future is secure.

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