This article will take you through;
- What is copyrighted music
- How does YouTube handle copyrighted music
- How does Zoom handle copyrighted music
- Alternate ways to stream music
- Next steps and additional support
What is copyrighted music
In many countries, when a person creates an original work that is fixed in a physical medium, they automatically own the copyright to the work. As the copyright owner, they have the exclusive right to use the work. Most of the time, only the copyright owner can say whether someone else has permission to use the work. - YouTube
You should always check the copyright laws specific to your Country of Residence, for example. The Copyright laws for the US can be found here;
How does YouTube handle copyrighted music
YouTube uses a technology called Content ID to check for videos infringing copyright. Content ID uses video and audio fingerprinting to identify unique patterns within each original content. Every new video upload is checked against the “fingerprint” patterns to detect copyright infringement.
This can cause a lot of issues if you want to use Music in your Live Workout Class but there are ways you can avoid it.
How to Stream Copyrighted Music on YouTube
- Go to Creator Studio > Create > Audio Library
- Use the tabs at the top of the page to choose 'Free music' or 'Sound effects'
- When you've found a track you like, click the arrow to download it
- For easy access in the future, select the star to add the track to your Favorites
Please note;
If you see an attribution-required icon next to a track, make sure to credit the original artist in your video description. Learn more about attribution on the Creative Commons website
How does Zoom handle copyrighted music
There isn't much information out there on how Zoom handles music streaming within it's meetings and webinars. However, they do have the following notice in their Terms of Service:
COPYRIGHT. You may not post, modify, distribute, or reproduce in any way copyrighted material, trademarks, rights of publicity or other proprietary rights without obtaining the prior written consent of the owner of such proprietary rights. Zoom may deny access to the Services to any User who is alleged to infringe another party's copyright. Without limiting the foregoing, if You believe that Your copyright has been infringed, please notify Zoom as specified here. - Zoom
How to Stream Copyrighted Music on Zoom
Even though Zoom doesn't seem to have any software in place to detect music, you should always do your part to ensure you are abiding by the law. Refer to your local Copyright laws for more information.
If you want to share audio from your computer via Zoom you can do that by using Zoom on a Mac or Windows PC. (Note this can't be done on a mobile device)
To do that, follow these steps;
- From Zoom, click the 'Share' button in the toolbar
- Check the box to 'Share computer audio' at the bottom of the 'Share pop-up window'
- To stop sending audio, simply click 'Stop Share' at the top of your meeting screen or mute the speaker of your phone or the speaker of your PC or MAC.
Alternate ways to stream music
There are a couple of other ways to stream music legally. You can create a playlist for your class on Spotify and get your members to use it during the session. This is a great way to get your members in sync without needing to use music yourself. We've seen some of our members use this method really well already. You can enhance this even further by letting your members put in song requests via email or an Instagram poll prior to the class. This will help you build and change the playlist weekly whilst engaging your members. Another benefit to this method, is music will always sound better if it's played in person rather than via a stream, so you'll instantly enhance the quality of your class.
Or, you can find Royalty free music. Sign up for a music subscription service. Services like Artlist produce really high-quality music tracks and you can use as many tracks as you like for a set yearly fee.
Read the following article to find some of the best royalty-free music sites available today:
Next steps and additional support
Once you have your Music figure out, you might want to learn about the best ways to host your Live Workout Class and tips for making your Video Stream look professional;
For additional support, reach out to support@glofox.com, and we will be happy to assist you.