how to use copyrighted music on facebook legally

Facebook is a massive social network. Management of the site, including an ability to go live, is covered by a series of Facebook Live rules and regulations, and music is one area that affects live broadcasts the most.

As broadcasters, we spend time creating content to promote our brand, our cause, and ideas. We want to engage people and tell our stories. Live video is the most effective way to tell our stories.

We plan our content to be informative, exciting, and entertaining. Thus, using music in our show intros and outros can both attract an audience and give variety to our broadcasts. But apparently, we do hear that some broadcasters unwittingly contravene Facebook Copyright laws. I am one of them, and you may be too. Let's figure out what Facebook has to say about the guidelines.

Facebook Guidelines For Playing Music in Live Broadcasts.

The Facebook guidelines say: "You are responsible for the content you post. You remain solely responsible for the content that you post, including any music that features in that content. Nothing in these terms constitutes any authorization by us with respect to any use of music on any of our Products. Use of music for commercial or non-personal purposes, in particular, is prohibited unless you have obtained appropriate licenses. You may not use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience.
Unauthorized content may be removed.

If you post content that contains music owned by someone else, your content may be blocked, or may be reviewed by the applicable rights owner and removed if your use of that music is not properly authorized."

What Does This Mean to Broadcasters?

If you play music that contravenes the guidelines, then Facebook may challenge your rights to play the music.

You can if you hold a license to play the music APPEAL. Simply add details of your claim.
If you lose the appeal, then Facebook will mute the music section within the video.

When you play unlicensed music repeatedly, Facebook can delete the videos. Facebook may not notify you.

When Facebook Flagged My Videos

Facebook has occasionally flagged my videos for music copyright infringements. When this happens, it is a shock. In most instances, I accepted, and Facebook muted the music.

When I started creating the Showcaster countdown clocks using Invideo, Invideo is a business video creation site, for whom Jon Upton and I broadcast using BeLive I added music that they had licensed. When broadcasters started playing the Youtube videos in their shows, I decided to improve the quality and licensed music from Jamendo, a music licensing site. Now if the piece is flagged, I have the paperwork to dispute the claim.

Facebook flagged one of my live videos with a copyright claim. Facebook said that unless I appealed, they would mute the music. I appealed, providing the certificate. They accepted my claim, and they did not mute the music since I proved that I didn't break Facebook copyright law.

We should only play music on our broadcasts when we have the rights to do so. Music from sites like Canva and Invideo is licensed for us to use.

Facebook Live Copyright Music: Where to Get Royalty-Free Music

Facebook Live audio should be licensed. We can use licensed music from the sites below which provide royalty-free music which goes along with Facebook Live Rules. The sites range from totally free to rather expensive. Choose a place that meets your needs. We can safely use the music from these websites within our broadcasts.

They contain music covering every conceivable genre from folk to rock, from reggae to classical. From pop to rock. Something to suit every mood.

Epidemic Sound

Epidemic Sound provides Royalty free music and sound effects for video. Struggle with music licensing for video, film, or YouTube? Our library is of the highest quality, usable on all social platforms, and royalty-free forever.

Cost: from $12 per month.

Shutterstock

Amplify your creative ideas with exclusive royalty-free stock music from Shutterstock. Explore our curated music library, and find your ideal track in seconds.

Cost: from $17.60 per month

Jamendo

Licensing: Royalty-Free Music for Videos, Ads, Films
Royalty-Free Music licenses for Videos, Advertising, YouTube, Podcast, Film/Cinema, TV. Broadcast rights included. 240,000+ tracks

Cost: from $65 per month

Facebook Creator Studio

While in "Facebook Creator" select "Creative Tools" and then " Sound Collection", Please check the "terms and conditions" before using and make sure you won't break Facebook Live rules.

Cost: Free

YouTube Audio Library

In your Youtube Studio, access the audio library for free music. Please check the terms and conditions before using.

Cost: Free

We have listed more music sites for you to explore on List.ly

Facebook Live Copyright Music: Where to Get Royalty Free Music

In a recent poll in the Belivers group, Youtube Royalty free music scored well as did Epidemic Sound. Belivers is the official BeLive Facebook group where all users can find help and support.

Mitch Jackson, a good friend, lawyer and fellow broadcaster, says:
"The easy solution is as follows: If you didn't create the content, don't use it without the written permission of the owner or person with legal use rights."

It is really enough to understand Facebook Live rules and regulations. If it's not your piece of content – you need to have permission to use it.

How to Share Music on Your BeLive Broadcast

Watch the videos below to play music and have Facebook Live audio in your live broadcast while avoiding copyright problems

The recording from the training video (with the selected music)

Sign up with BeLive today and go live.

Summary

We can play music in our broadcasts providing we have permission to do so. Intros created using Canva or Invideo are covered by their licensing arrangements which means you shouldn't be afraid of Facebook Live copyright music rules. When we use music from royalty-free music sites, we are protected by their licensing and do not break Facebook copyright laws. When we are broadcasting our own music, there should be no problems.

Steven is part of BeLive's marketing team as a content writer. He lives in Wiltshire England close to Stonehenge, He broadcasts 6 times a week on BeLive and is an admin of the Belivers group on Facebook. He enjoys being out in the countryside and marathon walking.