Protecting your music on YouTube before publishing it
Protecting a track begins even before it is uploaded. Once a track is finished, it is useful to keep everything that makes it possible to trace its creation and the different stages of the project.
This can include:
- Production software sessions.
- Intermediate versions.
- Stems.
- The final master.
- Dated exports.
- Exchanges with collaborators.
- Licenses used.
- Signed contracts.
- Information related to the release.
These elements do not replace the rights themselves, but they make it possible to document the project.
If a dispute arises later, it is much easier to understand who created what when the files, contracts and authorizations have been properly retained.
Rights to clarify before releasing a track
A track can involve several types of rights. In particular, composition rights must be distinguished from master recording rights.
The same project can involve:
- A songwriter.
- A composer.
- A performer.
- A producer.
- A beatmaker.
- A label.
- Several collaborators.
Before release, it is therefore important to know who actually owns the rights to the track. An artist can for example perform a track without being the sole owner of the master, conversely, they can own the recording but share composition rights with other people.
This point is particularly important when a track is going to be distributed, monetized or integrated into an automated recognition system such as YouTube Content ID.
Beats, loops and samples: the main points to watch
Many rights issues arise with elements from third parties.
An artist can have every right to use a beat or a loop without necessarily having exclusive rights to all the audio elements present in the track.
A purchased beat is not always exclusive
Many producers sell several licenses for the same instrumental, so you can legally purchase the right to release a track while knowing that other artists use exactly the same beat.
You need to read the terms of the beat license and check in particular:
- Whether it is exclusive or not.
- Whether commercial distribution is allowed.
- Whether certain stream or sales limits exist.
- Whether use on YouTube is allowed.
- Whether registration in a system such as Content ID is permitted.
The last point is essential. The right to use a beat does not automatically mean that you can claim all of its elements as exclusively yours.
Loops can be used by thousands of producers
A loop from a sound library can appear in a very large number of tracks. Its use can be completely authorized.
The problem mainly arises when someone then tries to claim this non-exclusive element as if no one else had the right to use it.
You must therefore always distinguish the right to use an element and the right to claim it exclusively.
Samples require particular attention
When a track directly uses part of an existing work or recording, the situation can be different. The rights involved must be checked before publication.
Authorization allowing the use of a sample in a track does not necessarily mean that the entire recording can then be treated as completely exclusive content.
Finding uses of your music on YouTube
When an artist has only a few tracks, some uses can be found manually.
It is possible to search for:
- Their artist name.
- The track title.
- The album name.
- Certain lyrics.
- Different words associated with the project.
This method can sometimes uncover unexpected videos, but it has an obvious limitation.
Someone can use music without indicating the title in their description. The track can also appear for a few seconds in the middle of a much longer video. As soon as the catalog starts to grow, manual monitoring therefore becomes very limited.
YouTube Content ID as a protection and monetization tool
YouTube Content ID makes it possible to automate part of the detection of uses of a track on YouTube. When an eligible track is recognized in a video, the system can trigger a claim and apply different rules depending on the associated rights.
In this article, it is enough to remember that Content ID is a rights management tool on YouTube. To understand precisely how it works, claims, monetization, track eligibility and its use with Dibsteur, see our dedicated YouTube Content ID page.
Content ID, claim and copyright strike
A Content ID claim and a copyright strike are two different mechanisms. The first can concern the management of a detected use, while the second is part of a separate copyright procedure.
The key is to understand that a use of your music on YouTube does not automatically lead to the removal of the video. Depending on the situation, it may be more appropriate to manage the associated rights rather than immediately trying to have the content removed.
Responding when a video uses your music
When a use is discovered, the first step is to understand what actually happened because not all situations are the same.
Someone can:
- Have used the track without authorization.
- Have a license.
- Have obtained permission directly from the artist.
- Use content for which several people own rights.
- Have received an incorrect automatic claim.
It is therefore preferable to check the context before acting.
When should you let a video use your music on YouTube?
A video that uses your track can help introduce the music to new listeners. If the use is authorized or compatible with your goals, immediately requesting the removal of the content is not necessarily the best solution.
It may be more appropriate to let the video circulate, possibly with credit or appropriate rights management.
When should you request the removal of a video using your music?
The situation is different if someone republishes your track in full, presents themselves as its owner or uses it in a way that clearly infringes your rights.
In this case, you should start by checking:
- The identity of the channel.
- The exact content used.
- Any authorizations.
- The monetization of the video.
- How the track is presented.
The tools available then depend on the situation encountered.
The complete republication of a track
The complete republication deserves particular attention. Imagine that a user takes your single and publishes it on their channel with your cover art, a different image or a slightly modified title.
This no longer really corresponds to a simple use as background music. You then need to check whether the video is authorized, whether it presents itself as official and whether it possibly generates revenue.
In some cases, a copyright procedure may become necessary. The important thing is not to use these procedures lightly: a request must correspond to rights that you actually own.
Requesting the removal of a video for copyright infringement
When your track is used without authorization and simple management through Content ID does not correspond to the situation, YouTube also provides a separate procedure allowing the rights holder to request the removal of content.
This process is particularly relevant when a video republishes your track in full, presents itself as an official publication or uses your content in a way that is clearly incompatible with the rights you have granted.
Before submitting a request, however, you must verify precisely that you own the rights concerned and that the use is not covered by a license or authorization.
A takedown request is therefore not a tool to use automatically as soon as music is detected, it must correspond to a genuine infringement of rights that you can claim.
Authorizations and licenses for creators
An artist can perfectly well choose to authorize certain creators to use their music. This can even be part of a promotional strategy.
You can for example work with:
- A videographer.
- An influencer.
- A YouTube creator.
- A partner.
- Another brand.
- A media outlet.
Ideally, the terms of the authorization should be clearly defined.
A music licensing agreement can specify:
- The track concerned.
- The type of content authorized.
- The platforms.
- The territories.
- The duration.
- Monetization options.
- Credit requirements.
Clear authorization prevents two people from having a different interpretation several months later.
Is crediting an artist on YouTube enough to use their music?
Credit is useful, but it does not automatically give the right to use music. Indicating the artist’s name or the track name in a video’s description does not replace a license when one is required.
Someone can therefore perfectly well credit an artist correctly while using their track without having sufficient rights. Conversely, someone can have received clear authorization with specific terms.
You must always distinguish credit and the right to use.
Organizing your evidence, contracts and metadata
Good organization makes music rights management on YouTube much easier.
For each track, it is useful to keep a folder containing the important elements of the project:
- Production files.
- Master.
- Contracts.
- Licenses.
- Credits.
- Names of participants.
- Dates.
- Distribution information.
- Any codes associated with the track.
Music metadata must also be consistent during distribution. The artist name, songwriters, composers, credits and other information about the track must be entered correctly.
An error in this data can complicate the management of the track when it starts to be distributed across several platforms.
What evidence should you keep to protect your rights to music?
Production files, contracts, licenses and exchanges make it possible to document the origin of a track and the agreements made around the project. They are very useful in the event of a disagreement, but they do not by themselves replace a legal analysis of the rights.
Two people can for example each have different documents relating to the same track, or interpret a license differently. The goal is therefore to keep clear and consistent elements, but also to properly formalize collaborations and authorizations when several people participate in the project.
Before submitting a claim or a takedown request, you must be able to identify precisely the rights you actually own.
Combining music distribution and protection of your music on YouTube
Properly distributing a track makes it possible to structure its presence on platforms. Protection and music rights management then complement this distribution.
An artist can thus make their music available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer or YouTube Music while using appropriate tools to manage certain uses of their recordings elsewhere on YouTube.
A platform such as Dibsteur allows artists and labels to distribute their releases to partner platforms and also offers YouTube Content ID in certain plans for eligible tracks.
Compare Dibsteur music distribution plans
Protecting your music on YouTube without limiting its distribution
Protecting your music does not mean preventing it from circulating, being featured in a video can sometimes bring new listeners to a track. A collaboration with a creator can also become a genuine source of visibility.
The goal is therefore less about blocking all uses than knowing which ones are authorized, which ones can be beneficial and which ones genuinely infringe the artist’s rights.
A good strategy consists of keeping control over your catalog while allowing the music to circulate. This involves clear management of rights, licenses, metadata and the tools used on YouTube.
