If there’s one thing filmmakers and content creators do not want to do while working on a project, it’s navigate the complex world of music licensing, copyright laws, and infringement. It’s understandable — you just want to add the right music to your scenes, not wrestle with endless pages of legal jargon.It’s especially confusing when terms like “copyright-free” and “royalty-free” are used interchangeably like they’re the same thing. They’re not!Let’s go over the differences between copyright-free and royalty-free music so you can rest easy at night knowing your film or video won’t land you in hot water. What Is Royalty-Free Music?First, understand what “royalties” are. Royalties are payments you make to the owner of a piece of content each time you use it. And those payments are perpetual — you are essentially paying per use.So, royalty-free music is music that you can license without having to pay royalties. Pay a one-time fee and you’re good.What Is Copyright-Free Music?Copyright-free music is music that isn’t protected by copyright. This means that it’s usually free to use, modify, and distribute without needing permission from a copyright holder (because there isn’t one). This type of music is pretty rare, but includes music that is in the public domain (the copyright has expired) or has been released by the copyright holder. Common Misconceptions“Royalty-free means free.”Actually, no. Royalty-free just means you’re free of paying royalties. You still need to pay for the track in the form of a one-time fee or subscription.“Copyright-free music is safe to...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday