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Understanding Copyright: How To Tell If a Song is Copyrighted

HaiMusic Copyright Team
2025-06-24
6 min read
Understanding Copyright: How To Tell If a Song is Copyrighted

Uploading videos to YouTube feels easy—until you worry about copyright strikes that could threaten your channel. Your YouTube channel is your creative hub and audience connection, so protecting it from copyright pitfalls is crucial.

However, while music licensing and copyright rules may seem complex at first, they’re actually quite straightforward once you understand the basics. If you want to learn how to determine whether a song in your video is copyrighted and how these protections work, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide.

What Makes a Song “Copyrighted”?#

Firstly, it's important to understand that there is no such thing as a “non-copyrighted song.” Every song is automatically protected by copyright from the moment it is created. This protection extends beyond just the performing artist—it also covers composers, performers, producers, and record labels involved in the creation and distribution of the music.

In other words, all songs are copyrighted by default. For creators, knowing these copyright rules is essential to avoid legal troubles and safeguard their own work. If you plan to use any music or audio in your videos—whether on YouTube or other public platforms—you must be aware of the copyrights involved and how your usage aligns with copyright laws and regulations.

How to Check if a Song is Copyrighted#

Now that we've established that all songs are protected by copyright, here are some effective ways to check the copyright status of a song or music track, as well as identify the copyright owner.

1. Check the Public Domain#

Any song or musical work published in 1929 or earlier is in the Public Domain in the USA. Since those copyrights have expired or were never protected by copyright, making them freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute without permission or licensing fees. Much of this music tends to be quite old, which may not fit modern tastes or the specific style needed for contemporary projects.

Founded in 1986, PD Info is a dedicated public domain information project that offers meticulously researched lists of public domain music titles, sheet music reprints, and sheet music books. While it stands as one of the most comprehensive resources for checking public domain music, it does not encompass every existing work.

2. Check Creative Commons Licenses#

You can also visit the Creative Commons website to explore music that some artists have shared under Creative Commons licenses. These licenses often allow you to use their music for free, provided you follow certain conditions, such as giving proper credit. In some rare cases, the music may be available for use without any restrictions. Additionally, some Creative Commons licenses permit sharing the music with others, as long as you adhere to the specified terms.

3. Search the Internet Yourself#

If you have a specific song in mind that you want to use in your video but are uncertain about its copyright status, a quick Google or Wikipedia search may reveal who the original artist is and who currently holds the publishing rights, helping you identify the copyright owner. You can also search for the song directly on YouTube and check if the platform recognizes it by viewing the “Music” section in the video's description, which often lists copyright details.

4. Upload your Videos to YouTube and crosscheck#

While we generally advise caution with this approach, especially if you're concerned about your channel receiving a strike or being taken down, YouTube does provide a fairly advanced copyright detection feature during the upload process.

When you upload a video, YouTube scans its extensive databases and notifies you if your content potentially infringes on any copyrights. This immediate feedback informs you of any copyright issues linked to your video. If a conflict is detected, YouTube may require you to keep the video private or inform you about any restrictions that could apply if you decide to publish it publicly.

5. Hire a Private Copyright Lawyer#

If you want to be absolutely certain about copyright issues, hiring a copyright or intellectual property lawyer is your safest option. An IP expert can expertly guide you through complex copyright matters. However, legal services can be costly, often only feasible for large clients or projects with substantial budgets. Many companies have in-house legal teams to handle copyright and intellectual property concerns, ensuring compliance and protection.

While no method guarantees you won’t face copyright claims, consulting a legal professional remains the most reliable way to manage potential disputes.

Difference between Music Licensing and Copyrights#

However, despite these resources, it can still be difficult to ensure music used in your videos is free from copyright restrictions. Even if you believe a song is copyright-free or properly licensed, others may file claims against your content. Since YouTube holds creators responsible for proving non-infringement, it's essential to use music from trusted sources that guarantee full copyright protection. This helps protect your channel from potential claims and strikes.

The best choice for copyright-protected music for most creators is royalty free music offered by reputable music licensing platforms like HaiMusic. When selecting music, ensure you pick tracks that perfectly align with your project's specific requirements. HaiMusic has a dedicated legal team ready to support clients facing any copyright infringement issues. This ensures content creators can focus entirely on their work without worrying about legal complications.

With HaiMusic, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re protected from copyright claims, while accessing a vast array of genres to complement any creative endeavor. This platform provide an impressive variety of musical styles and backgrounds, catering to the diverse needs of creators worldwide.

Royalty Free Music for YouTube Channel#

With royalty free music licensed by HaiMusic, every track you choose is fully covered and protected against copyright claims or issues. HaiMusic allows you to quickly find the ideal song by filtering tunes based on genre, mood, situation, and more. Featuring music from musicians worldwide, HaiMusic offers a diverse global selection to suit every creator’s needs.

The extensive music library features high-quality sound across a wide range of genres, suitable for educational content, vlogs, and various media formats. Finding and licensing music is simple, allowing you to concentrate fully on your creative process. Emotional and cinematic piano pieces, as well as rich bass layers, add depth and feeling to your projects. Choosing HaiMusic means enhancing your videos with expertly curated, premium music that makes a noticeable impact.

Royalty-free music platforms such as HaiMusic provide everything you need to easily find and legally use high-quality, label-standard music for any project. Thanks to our advanced copyright protection systems, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re safeguarded against any incorrect copyright claims from platforms like YouTube.